Microsoft Bookshelf 1991/AmericanHeritageDictionary.txt

Text File | 1991-01-01 | 29.5 MB | 387,132 lines

 A
 a or A   n. pl. a's  or A's  1. The first letter of the modern English
 alphabet. 2. Any of the speech sounds represented by the letter a.  3.
 Something shaped like the letter A. 4. The first in a series. 5. The best
 or highest in quality or rank: grade A milk.  6.  a. The sixth tone in the
 scale of C major or the first note in the relative minor scale. b. The key
 or scale in which A is the tonic. c. A written or printed note representing
 this tone. d. A string, key, or pipe tuned to the pitch of this tone.



 a
 a(1)  indef. art.  1. Used before nouns and noun phrases that denote a
 single, but unspecified, person or thing: a region; a man.  2. Used before
 terms, such as few or many, denoting number: a hundred men; only a few of
 the voters.  3. The same: birds of a feather.  4. Any: not a drop to drink.
  5.  a. Used before a proper name to denote a type or a member of a class:
 the wisdom of a Socrates.  b. Used before a mass noun to indicate a single
 type or example: a dry wine.  [ME < OE an, one.]

      Usage: A  is used before a word beginning with a consonant (a frog )
 or a consonant sound (a university ); an  is used before a word beginning
 with a vowel (an egg ) or a vowel sound (an hour ). An  should not be used
 before words like historical  and hysterical  unless the h  is not
 pronounced, a practice now uncommon in American speech.
 a(2)   prep.  In every; to each; per: once a month; one dollar a pound.
 [ME a, < OE an in.]
 a(3)   v.  Regional.  Have: He'd a come if he could.  [ME < haven, to
 have.]



 a- or an-
 a-(1)   Without; not: amoral.  [Gk.]
 a-(2)   1. On; in: abed.  2. In the act of: aborning.  3. In the direction
 of: astern.  4. In a specified state or condition: abuzz.  [ME < OE < an,
 on.]



 aardvark  n.  A burrowing mammal, Orycteropus afer, of southern Africa,
 having a stocky, hairy body, large ears, a long, tubular snout, and
 powerful digging claws. [Obs. Afr. : aarde, earth (< Du. < M. Du. aerde) +
 vark, pig (< M. Du. varken).]



 aardwolf  n.  A hyenalike mammal, Proteles cristatus, of southern and
 eastern Africa, having gray fur with black stripes, and feeding mainly on
 termites and insect larvae. [Afr. : aarde, earth + wolf, wolf (< M. Du.).]



 Aaron  n.  In the Old Testament, the original high priest of the Hebrew
 nation, the older brother of Moses. [LLat. < Gk. Aaron < Heb. 'aharon.]



 Aaronic or Aaronical   adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of
 Aaron. 2. Of or pertaining to the lower order of priests in the Mormon
 Church.



 Ab  n.  Variant of Av.



 AB  n.  A human blood type of the ABO group.



 ab-
 ab-(1)   Away from: aboral.  [Lat. < ab.]
 ab-(2)   Used to indicate a centimeter-gram-second system electromagnetic
 unit: abcoulomb.  [< absolute.]



 aba  n.  1. A light fabric woven of the hair of camels or goats. 2. A
 loose-fitting sleeveless garment made of aba, worn by Arabs. [Ar. "aba'.]



 abaca  n.  A Philippine plant, Musa textilis, related to the banana. Its
 leafstalks are the source of Manila hemp. [Sp. abaca < Tagolog abaka.]



 aback  adv.  Archaic.  Back; backward. taken aback. Dumbfounded; startled.
 [ME abak < OE on baec : on, to + baec, back.]



 abacterial  adj.  Not caused by or identified with the presence of
 bacteria.



 abacus  n. pl. abacuses  or abaci  1. A manual computing device consisting
 of a frame holding parallel rods strung with movable counters. 2. A slab on
 the top of the capital of a column. [Lat. < Gk. abax, counting board.]



 abaft  adv.  Nautical.  Toward the stern.   -prep. Toward the stern from.
 [ME on baft : on, at + baft, rear < OE beaeftan, behind (be, at + aeftan,
 behind).]



 abalone  n.  Any of the various large, edible marine gastropods of the
 genus Haliotis, having an ear-shaped shell with a row of holes and a
 colorful, pearly interior, often used for making ornaments. [Am. Sp.
 abulon.]



 abampere  n.  A centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of current,
 equal to the current that produces a force of two dynes per centimeter of
 length on each of two infinitely long straight parallel wires one
 centimeter apart. It is equal to 10 amperes.



 abandon  tr.v. -doned -doning -dons   1. To withdraw one's support or help
 from, esp. in spite of a duty, allegiance, or responsibility; desert:
 abandon a friend in trouble.  2. To give up by leaving or ceasing to
 operate or inhabit, esp. as a result of danger or other impending threat:
 abandon ship.  3. To surrender one's claim or right to; give up. 4. To
 desist from; cease trying to continue. 5. To yield (oneself) completely, as
 to emotion.   -n. 1. A complete surrender of inhibitions. 2. Unbounded
 enthusiasm. [ME abandounen < OFr. abandoner < a bandon : a, at (< Lat. ad)
 + bandon, control.]   abandonment n.



 abandoned  adj.  1. Deserted or forsaken. 2. Recklessly unrestrained;
 shameless.



 abapical  adj.  Being opposite to or directed away from the apex.



 abase  tr.v. abased abasing abases   To lower in rank, prestige, or
 esteem; humiliate. [ME abassen < OFr. abaissir : Lat. ad-, to + Med. Lat.
 bassus, low.]   abasement n.



 abash  tr.v. abashed abashing abashes   To make ashamed or uneasy;
 disconcert. [ME abaishen, to lose one's composure < OFr. esbahier : es-
 (intensive) + baer, to gape.]   abashment n.



 abasia  n.  Dysfunction of muscular coordination in walking. [NLat. : a-1
 + Gk. basis, step < bainein, to go.]



 abate  v. abated abating abates   -tr. 1. To reduce in amount, degree, or
 intensity; lessen. 2. To deduct from an amount; subtract. 3.  Law.  a. To
 put an end to. b. To make void. -intr. 1. To subside. 2.  Law. To become
 void. [ME abaten < OFr. abattre, to beat : a-, to (< Lat. ad-) + batre, to
 beat < Lat. battuere.]



 abatement  n.  1. Diminution in degree or intensity; moderation. 2. The
 amount abated; reduction. 3.  Law. The act of abating; elimination or
 annulment.



 abattoir  n.  A slaughterhouse. [Fr. < abattre, to strike down < OFr. -see
 abate.]



 abaxial  adj.  Away from the axis.



 abba  n.  Father. Used as a title of honor in several Eastern churches.
 [ME < LLat. < Gk. < Aram. abba, father.]



 abbacy  n. pl. -cies  The office, term, or jurisdiction of an abbot. [ME
 abbatie < LLat. abbatia < abba, father. -see abba.]



 abbatial  adj.  Of or pertaining to an abbey, abbot, or abbess. [ME
 abbacyal < LLat. abbatialis <  abbas, abbot.]



 abbe  n.  A French title originally given to the superior of an abbey, now
 applied to any ecclesiastical figure. [Fr. < OFr. < LLat. abbas, abbot.]



 abbess  n.  The female superior of a convent of nuns. [ME abesse < OFr. <
 LLat. abbatissa < abbas, abbot.]



 Abbevillian  adj.  Designating the earliest Paleolithic archaeological
 sites in Europe, characterized by bifacial stone hand axes. [After
 Abbeville, France.]



 abbey  n. pl. -beys  1. A monastery or convent. 2. An abbey church. [ME <
 OFr. abaie < LLat. abbatia < abbas, abbot.]



 abbot  n.  The superior of a monastery. [ME abbod < OE < LLat. abbas <
 LGk. abbas < Aram. abba, father.]



 abbreviate  tr.v. -ated -ating -ates   1. To make shorter. 2. To reduce (a
 word or phrase) to a shorter form intended to represent the full form. [ME
 abbreviaten < LLat. abbreviare : ab-, off + breviare, to shorten <  brevis,
 short.]   abbreviator n.



 abbreviation  n.  1. The act or product of abbreviating. 2. A shortened
 form of a word or phrase used chiefly in writing to represent the complete
 form; for example, Mass. for Massachusetts.



 ABC  n. pl. ABC's  1. ABC's  The alphabet. 2. ABC's  The rudiments of
 reading and writing.



 ABC art  n.  Minimal art.



 abcoulomb  n.  A centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of charge,
 equal to the charge passing in one second through any cross section of a
 conductor carrying a steady current of one abampere. It is equal to ten
 coulombs.



 Abdias  n.  Obadiah. [LLat. < Gk.]



 abdicate  v. -cated -cating -cates   -tr. To relinquish (power or
 responsibility) formally. -intr. To relinquish formally high office or
 responsibility. [Lat. abdicare, to disclaim : ab-, away + dicare, to
 proclaim.]   abdicable adj.   abdication n.   abdicator n.



 abdomen  n.  1. The part of the body in mammals that lies between the
 thorax and the pelvis and encloses the viscera; belly. 2. In arthropods,
 the major posterior part of the body. [Lat., belly.]   abdominal adj.
 abdominally adv.



 abdominous  adj.  Potbellied.



 abducens  n. pl. abducentes  An abducens nerve. [Lat. abducens, pr.part.
 of abducere, to take away. -see abduct.]



 abducens nerve  n.  Either of the 6th pair of cranial nerves that convey
 the motor impulses to the eye muscles.



 abduct  tr.v. -ducted -ducting -ducts   1. To carry off by force; kidnap.
 2.  Physiology. To draw away from the median line of a bone or muscle or
 from an adjacent part or limb. [Lat. abducere, abduct- : ab-, away +
 ducere, to lead.]   abduction n.   abductor n.



 abeam  adv.  At right angles to the keel of a ship.



 abecedarian  n.  1. One who teaches or studies the alphabet. 2. One who is
 just learning; beginner.   -adj. 1. Pertaining to the alphabet. 2. Arranged
 alphabetically. 3. Elementary; rudimentary. [ME < Med. Lat. abecedarium,
 alphabet < LLat. abecedarius, alphabetical < the names of the letters A B C
 D.]



 abed  adv.  In bed.



 Abel  n.  In the Old Testament, the second son of Adam, slain by his elder
 brother, Cain. [ME < LLat. < Gk. < Heb. Hebhel.]



 abele  n.  The white poplar. [Du. abeel < OFr. abel < Med. Lat. albellus,
 dim. of Lat. albus, white.]



 Abelian group  n.  A commutative group. [After Niels Henrik Abel
 (1802-1829).]



 abelmosk  n.  A hairy plant, Hibiscus abelmoschus, of tropical Asia,
 having large yellow flowers and musk-scented seeds that are used in
 perfumery. [NLat. abelmoschus < Ar. habbalmusk, grain of musk : habb, grain
 +  mosk, musk < Pers. mushk.]



 Aberdeen Angus  n.  Any of a breed of black, hornless beef cattle that
 originated in Scotland. [After Aberdeen and Angus, former counties of
 Scotland.]



 aberrant  adj.  1. Deviating from the proper or expected course. 2.
 Deviating from what is normal; untrue to type.   aberrance  aberrancy n.



 aberration  n.  1. A deviation from the proper or expected course. 2. A
 departure from the normal or typical. 3. A disorder or abnormal alteration
 in one's mental state. 4.  a. A defect of focus, such as blurring in an
 image. b. A physical defect in an optical element, as in a lens, that
 causes such an imperfection. 5.  Astronomy. The apparent displacement of
 the position of a celestial body in the direction of motion of an observer
 on earth, caused by the motion of the earth and the finiteness of the
 velocity of light. [Lat. aberratio, diversion < aberrare, to go astray :
 ab-, from + errare, to stray.]



 abet  tr.v. abetted abetting abets   To encourage, incite, or help, esp.
 in wrongdoing. [ME abetten < OFr. abeter, to entice : a, to (< Lat. ad-) +
 beter, to bait, of Germanic orig.]   abetment n.   abettor  abetter n.



 abeyance  n.  1. The condition of being temporarily set aside; suspension.
 2.  Law. A condition of undetermined ownership, as of an estate that has
 not yet been assigned. [OFr. abeance, desire < abaer, to gape at : a-, at
 (< Lat. ad-) + baer, to gape.]   abeyant adj.



 abfarad  n.  A centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of capacitance,
 equal to the capacitance of a capacitor having a charge of one abcoulomb
 and a potential difference of one abvolt. It is equal to one billion (109)
 farads.



 abhenry  n. pl. -ries  A centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of
 inductance, equal to the inductance resulting from a current variation of
 one abampere per second that produces an induced electromotive force of one
 abvolt. It is equal to one billionth (10-9) henry.



 abhor  tr.v. -horred -horring -hors   1. To regard with horror or
 loathing; abominate. 2. To reject vehemently; shun. [ME abhorren < Lat.
 abhorrere, to shrink from : ab-, from + horrere, to shudder.]   abhorrence
 n.   abhorrer n.



 abhorrent  adj.  1. Disgusting; loathsome; repellent. 2. Feeling
 repugnance or loathing. 3. In opposition.   abhorrently adv.



 Abib  n.  In the ancient Hebrew calendar, an earlier name for the month of
 Nisan. [Heb. 'abhibh, (month of) fresh barley.]



 abidance  n.  1. An act or condition of abiding; continuance. 2.
 Adherence; compliance: abidance by parliamentary procedure.



 abide  v. abode  or abided  or abiding  or abides   -tr. 1. To wait
 patiently for. 2. To be in store for; await. 3. To withstand; persevere
 under. 4. To accept the consequences of. 5. To put up with; tolerate: can't
 abide such incompetence.  -intr. 1. To remain in one place or state. 2. To
 continue; endure:  Who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? (Cotton
 Mather). 3. To dwell or sojourn. Phrasal verb.  abide by. To conform to;
 comply with. [ME abiden < OE abidan : a- (intensive) + bidan, to remain.]
 abider n.



 abiding  adj.  Long-lasting; enduring.   abidingly adv.



 Abies  n.  A genus of firs in the pine family, with flattened, needlelike
 leaves and erect cones. [NLat. < Lat., silver fir.]



 abietic acid  n.  A yellowish resinous powder, C19H29COOH, isolated from
 rosin and used in lacquers, varnishes, and soaps. [< Lat. abies, abiet-,
 silver fir.]



 ability  n. pl. -ties  1. The quality of being able to do something;
 physical, mental, financial, or legal power to perform. 2. A natural or
 acquired skill or talent. [ME abilite < OFr. habilite < Lat. habilitas <
 habilis, able.]

      Synonyms: ability capacity faculty talent skill
 competence aptitude These nouns name qualities that enable a person to
 accomplish something. Ability  is the power, mental or physical, to do
 something, and usually implies doing it well. Capacity  refers to the
 condition that permits one to acquire that power. Faculty  denotes an
 ability, inherent or acquired, in one area of achievement: a faculty for
 mathematics .Talent  emphasizes inborn ability in a particular field,
 especially the arts.Skill  implies recognized ability acquired or developed
 through experience. Competence  suggests ability to do something
 satisfactorily but not outstandingly. Aptitude  usually implies inherent
 capacity for, and interest in, a particular activity.




 -ability or -ibility    Ability, inclination, or suitability for a
 specified action or condition: teachability.  [ME -abilitie < OFr. -abilite
 < Lat. -abilitas.]



 ab initio  adv.  From the beginning. [Lat.]



 abiogenesis  n.  The hypothetical development of living organisms from
 nonliving matter.   abiogenetic abiogenetical  adj.   abiogenist n.



 abiotic  adj.  Not biotic.   abiosis n.   abiotically adv.



 abject  adj.  1. Of the most contemptible kind: abject cowardice.  2. Of
 the most miserable kind; wretched: abject poverty.  [ME, outcast < Lat.
 abjectus, p.part. of abicere, to cast away : ab-, from + jacere,  to
 throw.]   abjectly adv.   abjectness  abjection n.



 abjure  tr.v. -jured -juring -jures   1. To recant solemnly; repudiate:
 abjure one's beliefs.  2. To renounce under oath; forswear. [ME abjuren <
 OFr. abjurer < Lat. abjurare : ab-, away + jurare, to swear.]   abjuration
 n.   abjurer n.



 ablation  n.  1. Surgical excision or amputation of any part of the body.
 2. The totality of erosive processes by which a glacier is reduced. 3.
 Aerospace. The dissipation of heat generated by atmospheric friction, esp.
 in the atmospheric re-entry of a spacecraft or missile, by means of a
 melting heat shield. [LLat. ablatio < ablatus, p.part. of auferre, to carry
 away : ab-, away + ferre, to carry.]



 ablative  adj.  Designating a grammatical case indicating separation,
 direction away from, and sometimes manner or agency, found in some
 Indo-European languages.   -n. 1. The ablative case. 2. A word in the
 ablative case. [ME < OFr. ablatif < Lat. ablativus < ablatus, p.part. of
 auferre, to carry away. -see ablation]



 ablative absolute  n.  In Latin grammar, an adverbial phrase syntactically
 independent from the rest of the sentence and containing two main elements
 both in the ablative case.



 ablaut  n.  A patterned change in root vowels of verb forms,
 characteristic of Indo-European languages, indicating alteration of tense,
 aspect, or function; for example, ring, rang, rung.  [G. Ablaut : ab, off
 (< OHG aba) + Laut, sound < MHG lut < OHG hlut.]



 ablaze  adj.  1. On fire. 2. Radiant with bright color.



 able  adj. abler ablest   1. Having sufficient ability or resources. 2.
 Especially capable or talented. [ME < OFr. < Lat. habilis < habere, to
 hold.]



 -able or -ible    1. Susceptible, capable, or worthy of a specified
 action: debatable.  2. Inclined or given to a specified state or action:
 blamable.  [ME < OFr. < Lat. -abilis.]



 able-bodied  adj.  Physically strong and healthy.



 able-bodied seaman  n.  A merchant seaman certified for all seaman's
 duties.



 able seaman  n.  An able-bodied seaman.



 abloom  adj.  In bloom; flowering.



 ablution  n.  1. A washing or cleansing of the body, esp. as part of a
 religious rite. 2. The liquid used in an ablution. [ME ablucioun < Lat.
 ablutio < abluere, to wash away : ab, away + luere, to wash.]   ablutionary
 adj.



 ably  adv.  In an able manner; capably.



 ABM  n.  Antiballistic missile.



 Abnaki  n. pl. Abnaki  or -kis  1. A tribe of North American Indians of
 Maine, New Brunswick, and southern Quebec. 2. A member of the Abnaki. 3.
 The Algonquian language of the Abnaki.



 abnegate  tr.v. -gated -gating -gates   To deny to oneself; renounce.
 [Lat. abnegare, abnegat-, to refuse : ab-, away + negare,  to deny.]



 abnegation  n.  Self-denial.



 abnormal  adj.  Not normal; deviant. [Lat. abnormis : ab-, away from +
 norma, rule.]   abnormally adv.



 abnormality  n. pl. -ties  1. The condition of not being normal. 2. An
 abnormal phenomenon.



 abnormal psychology  n.  Psychopathology.



 aboard  adv.  On board a ship, train, airplane, or other passenger
 vehicle.   -prep. On board of; on; in. [ME abord : a-, on + bord, ship.]



 abode  v.  Past tense and past participle of abide.   -n. 1. A dwelling
 place or home. 2. The act of abiding; sojourn. [ME abod < abiden, to wait.
 -see abide.]



 abohm  n.  A centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of resistance
 equal to one billionth (10-9) of an ohm.



 abolish  tr.v. -ished -ishing -ishes   1. To do away with; annul. 2. To
 destroy completely. [ME abolisshen < OFr. abolir, aboliss- < Lat. abolere.]
   abolishable adj.   abolisher n.   abolishment n.

      Synonyms: abolish exterminate extinguish extirpate eradicate
 obliterate These verbs mean to get rid of. Abolish  applies only to doing
 away with conditions or regulations, not material things or persons.
 Exterminate  suggests destruction of living things by a deliberate,
 selective method. Extinguish , meaning to put out a flame or something
 likened to a flame, stresses the frailty of the object. Extirpate  suggests
 effective destruction by getting at the roots or causes, while eradicate
 stresses the resistance to dislodgment posed by the object. Obliterate
 means to destroy so as to leave no trace, and applies principally to
 things.




 abolition  n.  1. An act of abolishing or the state of being abolished. 2.
 The termination of slavery in the United States. [Fr. < Lat. abolitio <
 abolitus, p.part. of abolere, to abolish.]   abolitionary adj.



 abolitionism  n.  Advocacy of the abolition of slavery in the United
 States.   abolitionist n.



 abomasum  n. pl. -sa  The fourth division of the stomach in ruminant
 animals, in which true digestion takes place.   abomasal adj.



 A-bomb  n.  An atomic bomb.



 abominable  adj.  1. Unequivocally detestable; loathsome. 2. Thoroughly
 unpleasant or disagreeable: abominable weather.  [ME abhominable < OFr. <
 Lat. abominabilis < abominari, to abhor. -see abominate.]   abominably adv.




 abominable snowman  n.  A hirsute manlike animal reportedly inhabiting the
 snows of the high Himalayas.



 abominate  tr.v. -nated -nating -nates   1. To detest thoroughly; abhor.
 2.  Informal. To dislike intensely. [Lat. abominari, abominat-, to
 deprecate as a bad omen : ab-, away + omen, omen.]   abominator n.



 abomination  n.  1. An abhorrence for someone or something; disgust. 2.
 Something that elicits great dislike or abhorrence.



 aboral  adj.  Opposite to or away from the mouth.



 aboriginal  adj.  1. Existing from the beginning or being the earliest of
 its type in an area; indigenous. 2. Of or pertaining to aborigines.   -n.
 An aborigine.   aboriginally adv.



 aborigine  n.  1. An autochthonous inhabitant of a region. 2. aborigines
 The flora and fauna native to a geographical area. [< Lat. aborigines,
 original inhabitants : ab-, from + origine, beginning.]



 aborning  adv.  While coming into being or getting under way: a revolution
 that almost died aborning.



 abort  v. aborted aborting aborts   -intr. 1. To terminate pregnancy
 prematurely. 2. To cease growth before full development or maturation. 3.
 To terminate an operation or procedure with a missile or a space vehicle
 before completion, esp. because of equipment failure. -tr. 1. To cause to
 terminate pregnancy prematurely. 2. To interfere with the development of;
 conclude prematurely. 3. To terminate before completion.   -n. 1. The act
 of terminating an operation or procedure with a missile or space vehicle
 before completion, esp. because of equipment failure. 2.  Computer Science.
 A procedure to terminate execution of a program when an unrecoverable error
 or malfunction occurs. [Lat. abortare, freq. of aboriri, to disappear,
 miscarry : ab-, away + oriri, to appear.]



 abortifacient  adj.  Causing abortion.   -n. Anything used to induce
 abortion.



 abortion  n.  1. Induced termination of pregnancy before the fetus is
 capable of survival as an individual. 2. A fatally premature expulsion of
 an embryo or fetus from the womb. 3. Cessation of normal growth, esp. of an
 organ, prior to full development or maturation. 4. An aborted organism. 5.
 Something malformed or incompletely developed.



 abortionist  n.  One who performs abortions.



 abortive  adj.  1. Failing to accomplish an intended objective; fruitless.
 2. Partially or imperfectly developed.   abortively adv.   abortiveness n.



 ABO system  n.  The antigenic system of human blood, which, by functioning
 genetically as an allelic unit, produces the four human blood groups or
 types, A, B, AB and O.



 aboulia  n.  Variant of abulia.



 abound  intr.v. abounded abounding abounds   1. To be great in number or
 amount. 2. To be fully supplied or filled; teem. [ME abounden < OFr.
 abonder < Lat. abundare, to overflow : ab-, from + undare, to flow < unda,
 wave.]



 about  adv.  1. Approximately; nearly: lasted about an hour.  2. Almost:
 just about done.  3. To a reversed position or direction. 4. In no
 particular direction: wandering about town.  5. All around; on every side.
 6. In the area or vicinity; near. 7. In succession; one after another: Turn
 about is fair play.    -prep. 1. On all sides of; surrounding. 2. In the
 vicinity of; around. 3. Almost the same as; close to; near. 4. In reference
 to; relating to. 5. In the possession of: had his wits about him.  6. Ready
 or prepared to do something: The chorus is about to sing.  7. Involved with
 or engaged in: went about his business.    -adj. Moving here and there;
 astir: be up and about.  [ME < OE onbutan : on, in + butan, outside.]

      Synonyms: about around round These terms are sometimes
 interchangeable, as adverbs and prepositions. However, around  either
 specifies or suggests complete encirclement of something, whereas about
 and round  are less exact and indicate, more or less, semiencirclement: The
 children gathered about  (or round ) the fireplace; then they danced around
 the table.


      Usage: The construction not about to  is often used to express
 determination: We are not about to negotiate with terrorists.  A majority
 of the Usage Panel considers this usage acceptable in speech but not in
 formal writing.



 about-face  n.  1. The act of pivoting to face in the opposite direction
 from the original, esp. in a military maneuver. 2. A total change of
 attitude or standpoint.   -intr.v.-faced -facing -faces   To reverse
 direction.



 above  adv.  1. Overhead; on high: the clouds above.  2. In heaven;
 heavenward. 3. Upstairs: a table in the dining room above.  4. In or to a
 higher place. 5. In an earlier part of a given text: figures quoted above.
 6. In or to a higher rank or position: the ranks of major and above.
 -prep. 1. Over or higher than: a spring above the timberline.  2. Superior
 to in rank, position, or number; greater than: principles above expediency.
  3. Beyond the level or reach of: a shot heard above the music.  4. In
 preference to. 5. Too honorable to bend to: above petty intrigue.  6. More
 than: somewhat above normal temperature.    -n. Something that is above.
 -adj. Appearing earlier in the same text: flaws in the above
 interpretation.

       Idiom Section:  above all. First of all; most important. [ME aboven <
 OE abufan : a-, on + be, by + ufan, up.]

      Usage: The use of above  as an adjective or noun in referring to a
 preceding text is most common in business and legal writing. In general
 writing its use as an adjective (the above figures ) is accepted by a
 majority of the Usage Panel, but its use as a noun (read the above ) is
 accepted by only a minority.



 aboveboard  adv.  -adj. Without deceit or trickery.



 aboveground  adj.  1. Situated on or above the surface of the ground. 2.
 Operating or existing within the establishment or in accordance with
 conventional standards: journalistic practices unacceptable to the
 aboveground press.



 ab ovo  adv.  From the beginning. [Lat., from the egg.]



 abracadabra  n.  1. A word once held to possess magical powers to ward off
 disease or disaster. 2. Foolish or unintelligible talk. [LLat.]



 abrachia  n.  Congenital absence of arms. [a-1 + Gk. brakhion, arm.]



 abradant  n.  An abrasive.   -adj. Abrasive.



 abrade  tr.v. abraded abrading abrades   To rub off or wear away by
 friction; erode. [Lat. abradere, to scrape off : ab-, off + radere, to
 scrape.]



 Abraham  n.  In the Old Testament, the first patriarch and progenitor of
 the Hebrew people; father of Isaac. [ME < LLat. < LGk. < Heb. Abhraham.]



 abranchiate
 abranchial or abranchious    adj.  Having no gills. [Gk. a-, not +
 brankhia, gills.]



 abrasion  n.  1. The process of wearing down or rubbing away by means of
 friction. 2. A scraped or worn area. [Med. Lat. abrasio < Lat. abradere, to
 scrape off. -see abrade.]



 abrasive  adj.  Causing abrasion; harsh; rough.   -n. A substance that
 abrades.



 abreact  tr.v. -acted -acting -acts   To release (repressed emotions) by
 acting out, such as in words, action, or the imagination, the situation
 causing the conflict. [Transl. of G. abreagieren : ab-, away + reagieren,
 to react.]   abreaction n.



 abreast  adv.  1. Side by side. 2. Up to date with: keeping abreast of the
 latest developments.  [ME abrest < on brest : on, by + brest, breast.]



 abridge  tr.v. abridged abridging abridges   1. To reduce the length of (a
 written text); condense. 2. To curtail; cut short. [ME abregen < OFr.
 abregier < LLat. abbreviare, to shorten. -see abbreviate.]   abridger n.



 abridgment or abridgement   n.  1.  a. The action of abridging. b. The
 state of being abridged. 2. Condensation of a book.



 abroach  adj.  1. Opened or positioned so that a liquid, such as wine, can
 be let out. 2. Moving about; astir. [ME abroche < a, in + broche, a pointed
 object.]



 abroad  adv.  1. Out of one's own country. 2. In a foreign country or
 countries. 3. Away from one's home. 4. In circulation; at large. 5.
 Covering a large area; widely. 6. Not on target; in error. [ME abrod, wide
 < on brod : on, at + brod, broad.]



 abrogate  tr.v. -gated -gating -gates   To abolish or annul by authority.
 [Lat. abrogare, abrogat- : ab-, away + rogare, to propose.]   abrogation n.




 abrosia  n.  1. Abstinence from food; fasting. 2. A wasting away. [Gk.
 abrosia, fasting : a-, not + brosis, eating.]



 abrupt  adj.  1. Unexpectedly sudden. 2. Suprisingly curt; brusque. 3.
 Touching on one subject after another with sudden transitions: abrupt,
 nervous prose.  4. Steeply inclined. 5.  Biology. Appearing to be cut or
 broken off short; truncate. [Lat. abruptus, p.part of abrumpere, to break
 off : ab-, off + rumpere, to break.]   abruptly adv.   abruptness n.



 abruption  n.  An instance of suddenly breaking away or off.



 abscess  n.  A localized collection of pus in any part of the body, formed
 by tissue disintegration and surrounded by an inflamed area.
 -intr.v.-scessed -scessing -scesses   To form an abscess. [Lat. abscessus,
 absence < abscedere, to go away : ab-, away + cedere, to go.]



 abscise  v. -scised -scising -scises   -tr. To remove; cut off. -intr. To
 shed by abscission. [Lat. abscindere, absciss- : ab-, away + caedere, to
 cut.]



 abscisic acid or abscissic acid   n.  A common abscisin that inhibits
 plant growth.



 abscisin or abscissin   n.  A group of plant hormones that may promote
 leaf abscission while inhibiting certain other growth mechanisms.
 [abscis(sion) + -in.]



 abscissa  n. pl. -scissas  or -scissae  The coordinate representing the
 distance of a point from the y -axis in a plane Cartesian coordinate
 system, measured along a line parallel to the x -axis. [NLat. (linea)
 abscissa, (line) cut off < Lat. abscissus, p.part. of abscindere, to
 abcise.]



 abscission  n.  1. The act of cutting off. 2. The process by which plant
 parts, such as leaves, are shed.



 abscond  intr.v. -sconded -sconding -sconds   To leave quickly and
 secretly and hide oneself, esp. to avoid arrest or prosecution. [Lat.
 abscondere, to hide : ab-, away + condere, to put.]   absconder n.



 absence  n.  1. The state of being away. 2. The time during which one is
 away. 3. The condition of not having something needed or desirable; lack.



 absent  adj.  1. Missing or not present. 2. Not existent; lacking. 3.
 Feeling or exhibiting inattentiveness.   -tr.v. -sented -senting -sents
 To keep (oneself) away. [ME < OFr. < Lat. absens, p.part. of abesse, to be
 away : ab-, away + esse, to be.]   absently adv.



 absentee  n.  One who is absent.   -adj. 1. Of or pertaining to one that
 is absent. 2. Not in residence. -See Usage note at -ee1.



 absentee ballot  n.  A ballot marked and mailed in advance by a voter away
 from the place where he is registered.



 absenteeism  n.  Habitual failure to appear, esp. for work or other
 regular duty.



 absent-minded  adj.  Heedless of one's immediate surroundings or activity
 because of preoccupation with unrelated matters.   absent-mindedly adv.
 absent-mindedness n.



 absent without leave  adj.  Absent from one's assigned military post or
 duties without official permission but without the intention to desert.



 absinthe or absinth   n.  1. A green liqueur having a bitter licorice
 flavor and a high alcoholic content, prepared from wormwood and other
 herbs. 2. The wormwood. [Fr. < Lat. absinthium, wormwood.]



 absolute  adj.  1. Perfect in quality or nature; complete. 2. Not mixed;
 pure: absolute alcohol.  3.  a. Not limited by restrictions or exceptions;
 unconditional: absolute trust.  b. Unqualified in extent or degree; total:
 absolute silence.  4. Not limited by constitutional provisions or other
 restraints. 5. Unrelated to and independent of anything else. 6. Not to be
 doubted or questioned; positive: absolute proof.  7.  Grammar.  a. Denoting
 a construction in a sentence that is syntactically independent of the main
 clause. For example, in Their ship having sailed, we went home, Their ship
 having sailed is an absolute phrase. b. Pertaining to a transitive verb
 when its object is implied but not stated. For example, inspires in We have
 a teacher who inspires.  c. Pertaining to an adjective or pronoun that
 stands alone, the noun it modifies being implied but not stated. For
 example, Theirs and best in Theirs were the best.  8.  Physics.  a.
 Pertaining to measurements or units of measurement derived from fundamental
 relationships of space, mass, and time. b. Pertaining to absolute
 temperature. 9.  Law. Complete and unconditional; final.   -n. 1. Something
 that is absolute. 2. the Absolute   Philosophy.  a. Something regarded as
 the ultimate basis of all thought and being. b. Something regarded as
 independent of and unrelated to anything else. [ME absolut < Lat.
 absolutus, ended < absoluere, to finish : ab- from + solvere, to loose.]
 absoluteness n.



 absolute alcohol  n.  Ethyl alcohol containing no more than one per cent
 of water.



 absolute ceiling  n.  The maximum altitude above sea level at which an
 aircraft or missile can maintain horizontal flight under standard
 atmospheric conditions.



 absolutely  adv.  1. Definitely and completely; unquestionably. 2.
 Grammar. In a manner that does not take an object.

      Usage: Absolutely  is often used informally to mean "quite," as in an
 absolutely magnificent painting.  A majority of the Usage Panel disapproves
 of this use in formal writing.



 absolute magnitude  n.  The intrinsic magnitude of a star computed as if
 viewed from a distance of 10 parsecs or 32.6 light-years.



 absolute music  n.  Instrumental music that depends solely on its
 rhythmic, melodic, and contrapuntal structures.



 absolute pitch  n.  1. The precise pitch of an isolated tone, as
 established by its rate of vibration measured on a standard scale. 2. The
 ability to identify or sing any tone heard.



 absolute scale  n.  A scale of temperature with absolute zero as the
 minimum and scale units equal in magnitude to centigrade degrees.



 absolute temperature  n.  Temperature measured or calculated on the
 absolute scale.



 absolute value  n.  1. The numerical value or magnitude of a quantity, as
 of a vector or of a negative integer, without regard to its sign. 2. The
 modulus of a complex number, equal to the square root of the sum of the
 squares of the real and imaginary parts of the number.



 absolute zero  n.  Physics.  The temperature at which substances possess
 no thermal energy, equal to -273.15 deg. C or -459.67 deg. F.



 absolution  n.  Roman Catholic Chruch.  The formal remission of sin
 imparted by a priest as part of the sacrament of penance. [ME < OFr. < Lat.
 absolutio, acquittal < absolvere, to absolve.]



 absolutism  n.  1. A form of government in which all power is vested in
 the monarch and his advisers. 2. The political theory reflecting
 absolutism. 3. An absolute doctrine, principle, or opinion.   absolutist n.
   absolutistic adj.



 absolve  tr.v. -solved -solving -solves   1. To pronounce clear of blame
 or guilt. 2. To relieve of a requirement or obligation. 3.  a. To grant a
 remission of sin to. b. To pardon or remit (a sin). [ME absolven < Lat.
 absolvere. -see absolute.]   absolvable adj.   absolver n.



 absorb  tr.v. -sorbed -sorbing -sorbs   1. To take in through or as
 through pores or interstices; soak in or up. 2. To occupy the full
 attention, interest, or time of; engross. 3.  Chemistry.  Physics. To
 retain wholly, without reflection or transmission, that which is taken in.
 4. To take in; assimilate: immigrants absorbed into the mainstream of
 society.  5. To receive the impact of without recoil or echo. 6. To defray
 (costs). 7. To take in; accommodate: couldn't absorb the additional
 expense.  [OFr. absorber < Lat. absorbere : ab-, away + sorbere, to suck.]
  absorbability n.   absorbable adj.   absorber n.   absorbingly adv.



 absorbed  adj.  1. Engrossed. 2. Sucked up or in. 3. Assimilated.
 absorbedly adv.   absorbedness n.



 absorbefacient  adj.  Inducing or causing absorption.   -n. A medicine
 that induces absorption. [absorbe(nt)+ -facient.]



 absorbent  adj.  Capable of absorbing something: absorbent cotton.    -n.
 An absorbent substance.   absorbency n.



 absorptance  n.  The ratio of absorbed to incident radiation.
 [absorpt(ion) + -ance.]



 absorption  n.  1. The act or process of absorbing or the condition of
 being absorbed. 2. A state of mental concentration. [Lat. absorptio <
 absorbere, to absorb. -see absorb.]   absorptive adj.



 absorption nebula  n.  A nebula that absorbs all incident radiation
 without re-emission.



 absorption spectrum  n.  Physics.  The spectrum of dark lines and bands
 observed when radiation traverses an absorbing medium.



 abstain  intr.v. -stained -staining -stains   To refrain from something by
 one's own choice. [ME absteinen, to avoid < OFr. abstenir < Lat. abstinere,
 to hold back : ab-, away + tenere, to hold.]   abstainer n.



 abstemious  adj.  1. Eating and drinking in moderation. 2. Restricted to
 bare necessities; sparing. [Lat. abstemius : ab-, away + temetum, liquor.]
  abstemiously adv.   abstemiousness n.



 abstention  n.  The act or habit of abstaining. [LLat. abstentio < Lat.
 abstinere, to hold back. -see abstain.]



 abstinence  n.  1. Denial of the appetites, esp. denial of certain foods
 and drinks. 2. Habitual abstention from alcoholic beverages. [ME < OFr.
 abstenance < Lat. abstinentia < abstinere, to hold back. -see abstain.]
 abstinent adj.   abstinently adv.

      Synonyms: abstinence self-denial temperance sobriety
 continence These nouns express restraint of one's appetites or desires.
 Abstinence  implies the willful avoidance of pleasures, especially of food
 and drink, thought to be harmful. Self-denial  suggests resisting one's
 desires for some higher, moral goal. Temperance  and sobriety  both stress
 avoidance of alcohol, but temperance  is more often associated with mere
 curtailment of drinking, while sobriety  additionally suggests conservative
 action or manner. Continence  specifically refers to restraint of sexual
 activity.




 abstract  adj.  1. Considered apart from concrete existence: an abstract
 concept.  2. Not applied or practical; theoretical. 3. Not easily
 understood; abstruse. 4. Thought of or stated without reference to a
 specific instance: abstract words like "truth" and "justice."  5.
 Designating a genre of painting or sculpture whose intellectual and
 affective content depends solely on intrinsic form.   -n.    1. A statement
 summarizing the important points of a given text. 2. The concentrated
 essence of a larger whole. 3. Something abstract, as a term.   -tr.v.
 -stracted -stracting -stracts   1. To take away; remove. 2. To remove
 without permission; filch. 3. To consider (a quality, for example) without
 reference to a particular example or object. 4.  To summarize.

       Idiom Section:  in the abstract. Apart from actual substance or
 experience. [ME < Lat. abstractus, p.part. of abstrahere, to draw away :
 ab-, away + trahere, to draw.]   abstracter n.   abstractly adv.
 abstractness n.



 abstracted  adj.  1. Removed or separated. 2. Deep in thought;
 preoccupied; meditative.   abstractedly adv.   abstractedness n.

      Synonyms: abstracted absorbed distraught absent-minded These
 adjectives apply to absence of normal awareness of one's surroundings.
 Abstracted  implies complete and pleasureable mental involvement in the
 object of thought. Distraught  implies mental anxiety that makes
 concentration extremely difficult. Absent-minded  suggests the making of
 trivial errors because the mind is straying from the matter at hand.




 abstract expressionism  n.  A school of painting that flourished after
 World War II until the early 1960's, characterized by the exclusion of
 representational content.



 abstraction  n.  1. The act or process of removing or separating: the
 abstraction of metal from ore.  2.  a. The act or process of separating the
 inherent qualities or properties of something from the actual physical
 object or concept to which they belong. b. A product of this process; a
 general idea or word representing a physical concept. 3. Preoccupation;
 absent-mindedness. 4. An abstract work of art.



 abstractionism  n.  The theory and practice of abstract art.
 abstractionist n.



 abstractive  adj.  Of or derived by abstraction.



 abstract of title  n.  A brief history of the transfers of a piece of
 land, including all claims that could be made against it.



 abstruse  adj.  Difficult to understand; recondite. [Lat. abstrusus,
 hidden, p.part. of abstrudere, to hide : ab-, away + trudere, to push.]
 abstrusely adv.   abstruseness n.



 absurd  adj.  1. Ridiculously incongruous or unreasonable. 2. Of,
 pertaining to, or manifesting the view that there is no order or value in
 human life or in the universe; meaningless. 3. Of or relating to absurdism
 or the absurd.   -n. 1. The quality or condition of existing in a
 meaningless and irrational universe in which an individual's life has no
 meaning or purpose. 2. The literary genre that deals with the theme of an
 absurd universe. [Fr. absurde < Lat. absurdus.]   absurdity absurdness  n.
  absurdly adv.



 absurd theater  n.  Theater of the absurd.



 abulia or aboulia   n.  Loss or impairment of the ability to decide or act
 independently. [NLat. < Gk. aboulia, indecision : a-, without + boule,
 will.]   abulic adj.



 abundance  n.  1. A great or plentiful amount. 2. Fullness to overflowing:
  My thoughts . . . are from the abundance of my heart (De Quincey). 3.
 Affluence; wealth.



 abundant  adj.  1. In plentiful supply; ample. 2. Abounding with; rich: a
 region abundant in wildlife.  [ME aboundant < OFr. abondant < Lat.
 abundans, p.part. of abundare, to overflow. -see abound.]   abundantly adv.




 abuse  tr.v. abused abusing abuses   1.  a. To use wrongly or improperly;
 misuse. b.  Obsolete. To trick or deceive. 2. To hurt or injure by
 maltreatment. 3. To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words;
 revile.   -n.  1. Improper use or handling; misuse. 2. A corrupt practice
 or custom. 3. Physical maltreatment. 4. Insulting or coarse language. [ME
 abusen < OFr. abuser < abus, improper use < Lat. abusus, a using up,
 p.part. of abuti, to use up : ab-, away + uti, to use.]   abuser n.

      Synonyms: abuse misuse mistreat ill-treat maltreat These verbs
 mean to treat a person or thing wrongfully or harmfully. Abuse  applies to
 wrongful or unreasonable treatment by deed or word. Misuse  stresses
 incorrect or unknowledgeable handling; it implies but does not emphasize
 harm. Mistreat ,Mistreat, ill-treat,  and maltreat  all have the sense of
 inflicting injury, usually physical and often with intent to do harm.
 Mistreat  may imply only negligence or lack of knowledge on the offender's
 part, but more often refers to harm  inflicted deliberately. Ill-treat
 more specifically applies to harmful treatment of persons or animals.
 Maltreat  implies rough handling.




 abusive  adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by abuse. 2. Wrongly
 or incorrectly used or treated. 3. Serving to abuse; insulting.   abusively
 adv.



 abut  v. abutted abutting abuts   -intr. To touch at one end or side of
 something; lie adjacent. -tr. To border upon; be next to. [ME abutten <
 OFr. abouter, to border on : a-, to + bout, end.]   abutter n.



 abutilon  n.  Any of various shrubs or plants of the genus Abutilon, esp.
 the flowering maple. [NLat. Abutilon, genus name < Ar. aubutilun.]



 abutment  n.  1. The act or process of abutting. 2.  a. Something that
 abuts. b. The point of contact of two abutting objects or parts. 3.  a.
 That part of a structure that bears the weight or pressure of an arch. b. A
 structure that supports the end of a bridge. c. A structure that anchors
 the cables of a suspension bridge.



 abuttals  pl.n.  The parts of a piece of land that abut against other
 property; boundaries.



 abuzz  adj.  1. Filled with a buzzing sound. 2. Filled or occupied with
 activity or talk.



 abvolt  n.    A centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of potential
 difference, equal to the potential difference between two points such that
 one erg of work must be performed to move a one-abcoulomb charge from one
 of the points to the other. It is equal to one hundred-millionth (10-8) of
 a volt.



 abysm  n.  An abyss. [ME abime < OFr. < LLat. abyssus. -see abyss.]



 abysmal  adj.  1. Unfathomable; extreme. 2. Of or resembling an abyss.
 abysmally adv.



 abyss  n.  1.  a. The primeval chaos. b. The bottomless pit; hell. 2. An
 unfathomable chasm; a yawning gulf. 3. An immeasurably profound depth or
 void: the vast abysses of space and time.  [LLat. abyssus < Gk. abussos,
 bottomless : a-, without + bussos, bottom.]



 abyssal  adj.  1. Abysmal. 2. Of or pertaining to the great depths of the
 oceans.



 Abyssinian cat  n.  A short-haired cat of a breed developed from Near
 Eastern stocks, having a reddish-brown coat tipped with small black
 markings. [After Abyssinia, former name for Ethiopia.]



 Ac   The symbol for the element actinium.



 ac-   Variant of ad- (sense 1). Used before c, k, and q.



 -ac   Used to form adjectives from nouns: ammoniac.  [NLat. -acus, adj.
 suffix < Gk. -akos.]



 acacia  n.  1. Any of various chiefly tropical trees of the genus Acacia,
 having compound leaves and tight clusters of small yellow or white flowers.
 2. Gum arabic. [Lat. < Gk. akakia.]



 academe  n.  1. The scholastic world or environment. 2. A scholar,
 teacher, or pedant. 3. A college or university. 4. Academic life. [< Lat.
 Academia, the Academy.]



 academia  n.  The academic world; academe. [NLat. < Lat. Academia, the
 Academy.]



 academic  adj.    1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a school. 2.
 Relating to studies that are liberal or classical rather than technical or
 vocational. 3. Pertaining or belonging to a scholarly organization. 4.
 Scholarly to the point of being unaware of the outside world. 5. Based on
 formal education. 6. Formalistic or conventional. 7. Theoretical or
 speculative without a practical purpose or intention. 8. Without purpose or
 use because of being beyond the point of implementation.   -n. A student or
 teacher.   academically adv.



 academic freedom  n.  Liberty to pursue and teach relevant knowledge and
 to discuss it freely without restriction from school or public officials or
 from other sources of influence.



 academician  n.  A member of an art, literary, or scientific academy or
 society.



 academicism or academism   n.  Traditional formalism, esp. when reflected
 in art.



 academy  n. pl. -mies  1. A school for special instruction. 2. A secondary
 or college-preparatory school, esp. a private one. 3. An association of
 scholars. 4. Academy  A specified society of scholars or artists. 5.
 Academy   a. Platonism. b. The disciples of Plato. [Lat. Academia < Gk.
 Akademia, the school where Plato taught.]



 Acadian  n.  1. One of the early French settlers of Acadia or their
 descendants. 2. A dialect of French spoken by the Acadians.   Acadian adj.



 acajou  n.  Mahogany, esp. when used for making furniture. [Fr., cashew <
 Port. caju.]



 acantho- or acanth-    Thorn: acanthoid.  [< Gk. akanthos, thorn plant <
 akantha, thorn.]



 acanthocephalan or acanthocephalid   n.  Any of various parasitic worms of
 the phylum Acanthocephala, having a proboscis armed with hooked spines. [<
 NLat. Acanthocephala, phylum name : acantho- + Gk. kephale, head.]



 acanthoid  adj.  Resembling a thorn or spine.



 acanthopterygian  n.  A fish of the superorder Acanthopterygii, which
 includes fishes having spiny fins, such as bass, perch, and mackerel. [<
 NLat. Acanthopterygii, superorder name : acantho- + Gk. pterugion, dim. of
 pterus, wing < pteron, feather.]   acanthopterygian adj.



 acanthus  n. pl. -thuses  or -thi  1. Any of various plants of the genus
 Acanthus, native to the Mediterranean region, having large, segmented,
 thistlelike leaves. 2.  Architecture. An ornament patterned after the
 leaves of the acanthus, used esp. on capitals of Corinthian columns. [NLat.
 Acanthus, genus name < Gk. akanthos, thorn plant < akantha, thorn.]



 acapnia  n.  The absence of carbon dioxide in the blood and tissues.
 [NLat. < Lat. acapnos, without smoke (which contains carbon dioxide) < Gk.
 akapnos : a-, not + kapnos, smoke.]



 a cappella  adv.Mus.  Without instrumental accompaniment. [Ital. : a, as +
 capella, chapel.]



 acari  n.  Plural of acarus.



 acariasis  n.  Infestation with mites. [acar(id) + -iasis.]



 acarid  n.  An arachnid of the order Acarina, which includes the mites and
 ticks. [NLat. Acaridae, family name < Acarus, genus name < Gk. akari, a
 kind of mite.]   acarid adj.



 acaroid resin  n.  A yellow or reddish gum obtained from various
 Australian grass trees, used in varnishes, lacquers, and the manufacture of
 paper. [NLat. acaroides.]



 acarology  n.  The study of mites and ticks. [acar(id) + -logy.]



 acarophily  n.  A symbiotic relationship to mites or ticks, usually in
 plants. [acar(id) + -phil(o)- + -y2.]



 acarophobia  n.  An abnormal fear of mites or ticks. [acar(id) + -phobia.]




 acarpous  adj.  Botany.  Producing no fruit; sterile.



 acarus  n. pl. -ri  A mite, esp. one of the genus Acarus.  [NLat. Acarus,
 genus name. -see acarid.]



 acatalectic  adj.  Designating a line of verse having the required number
 of syllables in the last foot.   -n. An acatalectic line. [LLat.
 acatalecticus < Gk. akatalektikos : a-, not + katalektikos, incomplete.
 -see catalectic.]



 acaudate or acaudal   adj.  Having no tail.



 acaulescent  adj.  Stemless or nearly so.



 accede  intr.v. -ceded -ceding -cedes   1. To give one's assent. 2. To
 arrive at or come into an office or dignity. 3. To become a party to an
 agreement or treaty. [ME acceden, to come near < Lat. accedere, to go near
 : ad-, to + cedere, to go.]   accedence n.   acceder n.



 accelerando  adj.  Music.  Gradually accelerating or quickening in time.
 Used as a direction. [Ital. < Lat. accelerandum < accelerare, to hasten.
 -see accelerate.]   accelerando adv.



 accelerate  v. -ated -ating -ates   -tr. 1. To increase the speed of. 2.
 To cause to occur sooner than expected. 3. To cause to develop or progress
 more quickly. 4.  Physics. To cause a change of velocity. -intr. To move or
 act faster. [Lat. accelerare : ad- (intensive) + celerare, to quicken <
 celer, swift.]   accelerative adj.



 acceleration  n.  1.  a. The act of accelerating. b. The process of being
 accelerated. 2.  Physics. The rate of change of velocity with respect to
 time.



 acceleration of gravity  n.  The acceleration of freely falling bodies
 under the influence of terrestrial gravity, equal to 980.665 cm/sec2 or
 approximately 32 ft/sec2 at sea level.



 accelerator  n.  1. One that accelerates. 2. A device, esp. the gas pedal
 of an automobile, for increasing the speed of a machine. 3.  Chemistry. A
 substance that increases the speed of a chemical reaction. 4.  Physics. A
 device, such as an electrostatic generator, cyclotron, or linear
 accelerator, that accelerates charged subatomic particles or nuclei to
 energies useful for research.



 accelerometer  n.  A device used to measure acceleration. [acceler(ation)
 + -meter.]



 accent  n.  1. The relative prominence of a particular syllable of a word
 by greater intensity or by variation or modulation of pitch or tone. 2.
 Vocal prominence or emphasis given to a particular syllable, word, or
 phrase. 3. A characteristic pronunciation, esp.: a. One determined by the
 regional or social background of the speaker. b. One determined by the
 phonetic habits of the speaker's native language carried over to his use of
 another language. 4. A mark or symbol used in the printing and writing of
 certain languages to indicate the vocal quality to be given to a particular
 letter: an acute accent.  5. A mark or symbol used in printing and writing
 to indicate the stressed syllables of a spoken word. 6. Rhythmically
 significant stress in a line of verse. 7.  a. Special stress given to a
 musical note within a phrase. b. A mark representing this stress. 8.
 Mathematics.  a. A mark or one of several marks used as a superscript to
 distinguish among variables represented by the same symbol. b. A mark used
 as a superscript to indicate the first derivative of a variable. 9. A mark
 or one of several marks used as a superscript to indicate a unit, such as
 feet (') and inches (") in linear measurement. 10. A distinctive feature or
 quality.   -tr.v. -cented -centing -cents   1. To stress or emphasize the
 pronunciation of. 2. To mark with a printed accent. 3. To call attention
 to; accentuate. [ME < OFr. < Lat. accentus, accentuation : ad-, to +
 cantus, song < canere, to sing (transl. of Gk. prosoidia, voice
 modulations).]



 accentual  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to accent. 2. Designating verse
 rhythm based on stress accents.   accentually adv.



 accentuate  tr.v. -ated -ating -ates   1. To pronounce with a stress or
 accent. 2. To mark with an accent. 3. To stress or emphasize. [Med. Lat.
 accentuare, accentuat- < Lat. accentus, accent.]   accentuation n.



 accept  v. -cepted -cepting -cepts   -tr. 1. To receive (something
 offered), esp. gladly. 2. To admit to a group or place. 3.  a. To regard as
 usual, proper, or right. b. To regard as true; believe in. c. To understand
 as having a specific meaning. 4. To bear up under resignedly or patiently:
 accept one's fate.  5.  a. To answer affirmatively: accept an invitation.
 b. To take upon oneself the duties or responsibilities of. 6. To be able to
 hold (something applied or inserted): This wood will not accept oil paints.
  7. To receive officially: accept the committee's report.  8. To consent to
 pay, as by a signed agreement. -intr. To receive something, esp. willingly.
 [ME accepten < Lat. acceptare, freq. of accipere, to receive : ad-, to +
 capere, to take.]



 acceptable  adj.  1. Worthy of being accepted. 2. Adequate enough to
 satisfy a need, requirement, or standard; satisfactory. 3. Designating an
 amount or level that can be endured or allowed.   acceptability
 acceptableness n.   acceptably adv.



 acceptance  n.  1. The act or process of accepting. 2. The state of being
 accepted or acceptable. 3. Favorable reception; approval. 4. Belief in
 something; agreement. 5.  a. A formal indication by a debtor of willingness
 to pay a time draft or bill of exchange. b. A written instrument so
 accepted. 6.  Law. Compliance by one party with the terms and conditions of
 another's offer so that a contract becomes legally binding between them.



 acceptant  adj.  Accepting willingly.



 acceptation  n.  1. The usual or accepted meaning, as of a word or
 expression. 2. Favorable reception. 3. Ready belief.



 accepted  adj.  Generally approved, believed, or recognized.



 acceptor or accepter   n.  1. One who signs a time draft or bill of
 exchange. 2.  Chemistry.  a. The reactant in an induced reaction that has
 an increased rate of reaction in the presence of the inductor. b. The atom
 that contributes no atoms to a covalent bond.



 access  n.  1. A means of approaching or nearing; passage. 2. The act of
 approaching. 3. The right to enter or make use of: has access to classified
 material.  4. The state or quality of being easy to approach or enter. 5.
 An increase of growth. 6. A sudden outburst: an access of rage.
 -tr.v.-cessed -cessing -cesses   To gain access to: accessed the
 information from the computer.  [ME acces, a coming to < OFr. < Lat.
 accessus < accedere, to arrive : ad-, to + cedere,  to come.]



 accessary  n.  Variant of accessory.



 accessible  adj.  1. Easily approached or entered. 2. Easily obtained. 3.
 Easy to communicate or get along with. 4. Open to: accessible to flattery.
   accessibility  accessibleness n.   accessibly adv.



 accession  n.  1. The attainment of rank or dignity. 2.  a. An increase by
 means of something added: an accession of property.  b. An addition. 3.
 Law.  a. The addition to or increase in value of property by means of
 improvements or natural growth. b. The right of a proprietor to ownership
 of such addition or increase. 4. Agreement or assent. 5. Access;
 admittance. 6. A sudden outburst.   -tr.v.-sioned -sioning -sions   To
 record as acquired.   accessional adj.



 accessory or accessary   n. pl. -ries  1. Something subordinate or
 supplementary; adjunct. 2.  a. One who incites, aids, or abets a lawbreaker
 in the commission of a crime, but is not present at the time of the crime:
 accessory before the fact.  b. One who aids a criminal after the commission
 of a crime, but was not present at the time of the crime: accessory after
 the fact.    -adj. 1. Having a secondary, supplementary, or subordinate
 function. 2. Serving to aid or abet a lawbreaker, either before or after
 the commission of the crime, without being present at the time the crime
 was committed. [ME accessorie < Med. Lat. accessorius < accessor, helper <
 Lat. accessus, approach. -see access.]   accessorial adj.   accessorily
 adv.   accessoriness n.



 accessory fruit  n.  A fruit, such as the pear, that contains fleshy
 tissue developed from floral parts as well as the ovary.



 accessory nerve  n.  Either of the 11th pair of cranial nerves of higher
 vertebrate species that supply motor impulses to the upper thorax and
 pharynx.



 access road  n.  A road that affords access to a certain area.



 access time  n.  Computer Science.  The time lag between a request for
 information stored in a computer and its delivery.



 acciaccatura  n.  Music.  A short grace note one half step below a
 principal note, sounded immediately before or at the same time as the
 principal note to add sustained dissonance. [Ital. < acciaccare, to crush.]




 accidence  n.  Grammar.  The section of morphology that deals with the
 inflections of words. [LLat. accidentia < Lat. accidens, accident.]



 accident  n.  1. An unexpected and undesirable event. 2. Something that
 occurs unexpectedly or unintentionally. 3. A circumstance or attribute that
 is not essential to the nature of something. 4. Fortune or chance: rich by
 accident of birth.  5.  Geology. An irregular or unusual natural formation
 or occurrence. [ME < OFr. < Lat. accidens,  pr.part. of accidere, to happen
 : ad-, to + cadere, to fall.]



 accidental  adj.  1. Occurring unexpectedly and unintentionally; by
 chance. 2. Not part of the real or essential nature of a thing. 3.  Music.
 Of or denoting a sharp, flat, or natural not indicated in the key
 signature.   -n. 1. A factor or attribute that is not essential. 2.  Music.
 A chromatically altered note not belonging to the key signature.
 accidentally adv.

      Synonyms: accidental fortuitous contingent incidental adventitious
  These adjectives are related in a general way but are not always
 interchangeable. Accidental  primarily refers to what occurs by chance or
 unexpectedly; it can also mean subordinate or nonessential. Fortuitous
 stresses chance or accident even more strongly, and inferentially minimizes
 cause. Contingent , in this context, describes what is possible but
 uncertain because of chance or unforeseen or uncontrollable factors.
 Incidental  refers to what is an adjunct to something else, and does not
 necessarily imply the operation of chance. Adventitious  applies to what is
 not inherent in something but added extrinsically, sometimes by accident or
 chance.




 accident insurance  n.  Insurance against injury or death because of
 accident.



 accident-prone  adj.  Having or susceptible to having a greater than
 average number of accidents or mishaps.



 accipiter  n.  A hawk of the genus Accipiter, characterized by short wings
 and a long tail. [NLat. Accipiter, genus name < Lat., hawk.]   accipitrine
 adj.



 acclaim  v. -claimed -claiming -claims   -tr. To salute or hail; applaud.
 -intr. To shout approval.   -n. Enthusiastic applause; acclamation. [Lat.
 acclamare, to shout at : ad-, at + clamore, to shout.]   acclaimer n.



 acclamation  n.  1. A shout or salute of enthusiastic approval. 2. An oral
 vote, esp. an enthusiastic vote of approval taken without formal ballot: a
 motion passed by acclamation.  [Lat. acclamatio < acclamare, to shout at.
 -see acclaim.]   acclamatory adj.



 acclimate  tr.  -intr.v.-mated -mating -mates   To accustom or become
 accustomed to a new environment or situation; adapt. [Fr. acclimater : a-,
 to (< Lat. ad) + climat, climate < OFr. -see climate.]



 acclimation  n.  1. The process of acclimating or of becoming acclimated.
 2. The adaptation of an organism to its natural climatic environment, as
 distinguished from acclimatization.



 acclimatization  n.  1. The process of acclimatizing; acclimation. 2. The
 climatic adaptation of an organism, esp. a plant, that has been moved to a
 new environment.



 acclimatize  tr.  -intr.v.-tized -tizing -tizes   To acclimate.
 acclimatizer n.



 acclivity  n. pl. -ties  An upward slope. [Lat. acclivitas < acclivis,
 uphill : ad-, to + clivus, slope.]



 accolade  n.  1. An embrace of greeting or salutation. 2. An expression of
 approval; praise. 3. The ceremonial bestowal of knighthood. [Fr. < Prov.
 acolada < acolar, to embrace : a-, to (< Lat. ad) + col, neck < Lat.
 collum, neck.]



 accommodate  v. -dated -dating -dates   -tr. 1. To do a favor or service
 for; oblige. 2. To provide for; supply with. 3. To contain comfortably;
 have space for. 4. To make suitable; adjust: accommodates himself well to
 new surroundings.  5. To settle; reconcile. -intr. To become adjusted, as
 the eye to focusing on objects at a distance. [Lat. accomodare, accomodat-,
 to fit : ad-, to + commodus, suitable. -see commodious.]   accommodative
 adj.   accommodativeness n.   accommodator n.



 accommodating  adj.  Helpful and obliging.   accommodatingly adv.



 accommodation  n.  1. The act of accommodating or state of being
 accommodated; adjustment. 2. Something that meets a need; convenience. 3.
 accommodations   a. Lodgings; room and board. b. A seat, compartment, or
 room on a public vehicle. 4. Reconciliation or settlement of opposing
 views; compromise. 5.  Physiology. Adaptation or adjustment in an organism,
 organ, or part, as in the lens of the eye to permit retinal focus of images
 of objects at different distances. 6. A loan or other financial favor.



 accommodation ladder  n.  A portable ladder or stairway hung from the side
 of a ship.



 accommodation paper  n.  A note or bill drawn, accepted, or endorsed by
 one or more parties to enable another party to obtain credit or raise money
 without consideration or collateral.



 accompaniment  n.  1. Something that accompanies; concomitant. 2.
 Something added for embellishment, completeness, or symmetry; complement.
 3. A vocal or instrumental part that supports a solo part.



 accompanist  n.  A performer, such as a pianist, who plays an
 accompaniment.



 accompany  v. -nied -nying -nies   -tr. 1. To go along with; join in
 company. 2. To supplement; add to. 3. To coexist or occur with. 4. To
 perform an accompaniment to. -intr. To play a musical accompaniment. [ME
 accompanien < OFr. acompagnier : a, to (< Lat. ad) + compaignon, companion.
 -see companion.]

      Synonyms: accompany conduct escort chaperon  (or chaperone).
 These verbs are compared as they mean to be with or to go with another
 person or persons. Accompany  suggests going with another on an equal
 basis. Conduct  implies guidance of others. Escort  stresses protective
 guidance. Chaperon  (or chaperone ) specifies adult supervision of young
 persons.




 accomplice  n.  One who aids or abets a lawbreaker in a criminal act,
 either as a principal or an accessory. [< ME a, a + complice, companion.
 -see complice.]



 accomplish  tr.v. -plished -plishing -plishes   1. To succeed in doing;
 bring to pass. 2. To reach the end of; complete. [ME accomplisshen < OFr.
 acomplir, accompliss-, to complete : a-, to (< Lat. ad) + complir, to
 complete < Lat. complere, to fill out. -see complete.]   accomplishable
 adj.   accomplisher n.



 accomplished  adj.  1. Completed; finished. 2. Skilled; expert: an
 accomplished pianist.



 accomplishment  n.  1. The act of accomplishing or state of being
 accomplished; completion. 2. Something completed successfully; achievement.
 3. Social poise.



 accord  tr.v. -corded -cording -cords   1. To cause to conform or agree;
 bring into harmony. 2. To grant; bestow upon: I accord you my blessing.
 -intr.v. To be in agreement, unity, or harmony.   -n. 1. Agreement;
 harmony. 2. A settlement or compromise of conflicting opinions. 3. A
 settlement of points at issue between nations.

       Idiom Section:  of (one's) own accord. Voluntarily. [ME accorden <
 OFr. acorder < Med. Lat. accordare : Lat. ad-, to + Lat. cor, heart.]



 accordance  n.  1. Agreement; conformity: in accordance with your
 instructions.  2. The act of granting.



 accordant  adj.  In agreement or harmony; consonant.   accordantly adv.



 according as  conj.  1. Corresponding to the way in which; precisely as:
 received the raise according as he was promised.  2. Depending on whether;
 if: according as he accepts your suggestion.



 accordingly  adv.  1. Correspondingly. 2. Consequently.



 according to  prep.  1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of:
 according to historians.  2. In keeping with; in agreement with: according
 to instructions.  3. As determined by: a list arranged according to the
 alphabet.



 accordion  n.  A portable musical instrument with a small keyboard and
 free metal reeds that sound when air is forced past them by pleated bellows
 operated by the player.   -adj. Having folds or bends like the bellows of
 an accordion: accordion pleats.  [G. Akkordion < Akkord, chord < Fr.
 accord, harmony < OFr. acorder, to accord.]   accordionist n.



 accost  tr.v. -costed -costing -costs   1. To approach and speak to first.
 2. To solicit sexually. [OFr. accoster < Med. Lat. acostare, to adjoin :
 Lat. ad-, to + Lat. costa, side.]



 accouchement  n.  Parturition. [Fr. < accoucher, to assist in childbirth :
 a, to (< Lat. ad) + coucher, to put to bed < OFr., to lay down. -see
 couch.]



 account  n.  1.  a. A narrative or record of events. b. A written or oral
 explanation, as of blame or cause. 2.  a. A precise list or enumeration of
 monetary transactions. b. A detailed list or enumeration. 3. A business
 relationship involving the exchange of money or credit: a charge account.
 4. Worth, standing, or importance: a man of some account.  5. Profit or
 advantage.   -tr.v.-counted -counting -counts   To consider or esteem:
 accounted him a merciful man.  Phrasal verb.  account for. 1. To make or
 render a reckoning, as of funds received and paid out or of persons or
 things: survivors who have not been accounted for.  2. To be the
 explanation or cause of. 3. To be answerable for. 4. To kill, capture, or
 disable.

       Idiom Section:  call to account. 1. To challenge or contest. 2. To
 hold answerable for. give a good account of (oneself). To act in a
 creditable manner. on account. 1. On credit. 2. In part payment of. on
 account of. 1. Because of. 2.  Regional. Because. on no account. Under no
 circumstances. on (one's) own account. 1. On one's own behalf. 2. On one's
 own; by oneself: wants to work on his own account.  take into account. To
 take into consideration; allow for. [ME < OFr. acont < aconter, to reckon :
 a-, to (< Lat. ad) + cunter, to count, ult. < Lat. computare, to sum up.
 -see compute.]



 accountable  adj.  1. Answerable. 2. Capable of being explained.
 accountability  accountableness n.   accountably adv.



 accountant  n.  One who keeps, audits, and inspects the financial records
 of individuals or business concerns and prepares financial and tax reports.
   accountancy n.



 account executive  n.  An individual in an advertising firm who manages
 the account of one or more clients.



 accounting  n.  The bookkeeping methods involved in making a financial
 record of business transactions and in the preparation of statements
 concerning the assets, liabilities, and operating results of a business.



 accouter  tr.v. -tered -tering -ters   To outfit and equip, as for
 military duty. [Fr. accoutrer < OFr. acoustrer.]



 accouterment  n.  1. The act of accoutering. 2. accouterments  The
 equipment other than arms and dress issued to a soldier. 3. accouterments
 The outward forms whereby a thing may be recognized; trappings.



 accoutre  v.  Chiefly Brit.Variant of accouter.



 accoutrement  n.  Chiefly Brit.Variant of accouterment.



 accredit  tr.v. -ited -iting -its   1. To ascribe or attribute to; credit
 with. 2.  a. To supply with credentials or authority; authorize. b. To
 appoint as an ambassador to a foreign government. 3. To certify as meeting
 a prescribed standard. 4. To believe. 5. To enter on the credit side of an
 account book. [Fr. accrediter : a, to (< Lat. ad) + credit, credit < OFr.
 -see credit.]



 accreditation  n.  The act of accrediting or the state of being
 accredited, esp. the granting of approval to an institution of learning by
 an official review board after the school has met specific requirements.



 accrete  v. -creted -creting -cretes   -tr. To make larger or greater, as
 by increased growth. -intr. 1. To grow together; fuse. 2. To grow or
 increase gradually, as by addition. [Back-formation < accretion.]



 accretion  n.  1.  a. Growth or increase in size by gradual external
 addition, fusion, or inclusion. b. Something added externally to promote
 such growth or increase. 2.  Biology. The growing together of plant or
 animal tissues that are normally separate. 3.  Geology. Slow addition to
 land by deposition of water-borne sediment. 4.  Law. An increase of land
 along the shores of a body of water, as by alluvial deposit. 5.  Astronomy.
  An increase in the mass of a celestial object by the collection of
 surrounding interstellar gases and objects by gravity. [Lat. accretio <
 accrescere, to grow. -see accrue.]   accretionary accretive  adj.



 accretion disk  n.  A ring of interstellar material surrounding a
 celestial object with an intense gravitational field, as a black hole.



 accrual  n.  1. The act or process of accruing; increase. 2. Something
 that increases or accrues.



 accrue  intr.v. -crued -cruing -crues   1. To come to someone or something
 as a gain, addition, or increment. 2. To increase or accumulate, as by
 natural growth: accruing interest on capital.  3.  Law. To become an
 enforceable or permanent right. [ME acreuen, ult. < Lat. accrescere, to
 grow : ad-, to + crescere, to arise.]   accruement n.



 acculturate  v. -ated -ating -ates   -tr. To cause (a society, for
 example) to change by the process of acculturation. -intr. To change or be
 modified by acculturation.



 acculturation  n.  1.  a. The modification of the culture of a group or
 individual as a result of contact with a different culture. b. The
 modification of a primitive culture by means of such contact. 2. The
 process by which the culture of a particular society is instilled in a
 human being from infancy onward.



 accumbent  adj.  1. Lying down; reclining. 2.  Botany. Resting against
 another part, as a cotyledon. [Lat. accumbens, accumbent-, pr.part. of
 accumbere, to recline at table : ad-, near to + cumbere, to recline.]



 accumulate  v. -lated -lating -lates   -tr. To amass or gather; pile up;
 collect. -intr. To grow or increase; mount up. [Lat. accumulare, accumulat-
 : ad-, to + cumulare, to pile up < cumulus, heap.]   accumulable adj.



 accumulation  n.  1. The act of amassing or gathering, as into a heap or
 pile:  Little things grew by continual accumulation (Samuel Johnson). 2.
 The process of growing into a heap or large amount. 3. A mass of something
 heaped up or collected: an accumulation of rubbish.  4.  a. The growth of a
 principal sum by retention of interest or profit. b. The gradual purchase
 of securities in a depressed market in anticipation of rising prices. c. In
 reckoning the yield on a bond, the difference between its face value and
 its cost if the bond is purchased at a discount.



 accumulative  adj.  1. Characterized by or showing the effects of
 accumulation; cumulative. 2. Having a propensity to amass; acquisitive.
 accumulatively adv.   accumulativeness n.



 accumulator  n.  1. One that accumulates. 2. A register or electric
 circuit in a calculator or computer that stores figures for computation. 3.
  Chiefly British. An automobile storage battery.



 accuracy  n.  The quality or state of being accurate; correctness.



 accurate  adj.  1. In exact conformity to fact; errorless. 2. Deviating
 only slightly or within acceptable limits from a standard. [Lat. accuratus,
 done with care, p.part. of accurare, to do with care : ad-, to + curare, to
 care for < cura, care.]   accurately adv.   accurateness n.



 accursed or accurst   adj.  1. Under a curse; doomed. 2. Abominable;
 hateful. [ME acursed < acursen, to put a curse on : a- (intensive) + OE
 cursian, to curse < curs, curse.]   accursedly adv.   accursedness n.



 accusation  n.  1. An act of accusing. 2. An allegation. 3.  Law. A formal
 charge brought before a court against a person, stating that he is guilty
 of some punishable offense.



 accusative  adj.  Of or pertaining to the case of a noun, pronoun,
 adjective, or participle that is the direct object of a verb or the object
 of certain prepositions.   -n. The accusative case. [ME acusatif < OFr. <
 Lat. (casus) accusativus, (case) of accusation < accusare, to accuse.]
 accusatively adv.



 accusatorial or accusatory   adj.  Containing or implying accusation.



 accuse  v. -cused -cusing -cuses   -tr. 1. To charge with a shortcoming or
 error. 2. To bring charges against (someone) for a misdeed: two men accused
 of a crime.  -intr. To make an accusation against someone. [ME acusen <
 Lat. accusare : ad-, to + causa, lawsuit]   accuser n.   accusingly adv.



 accused  n.  Law.  The defendant or defendants in a criminal case: one of
 the accused.



 accustom  tr.v. -tomed -toming -toms   To familiarize, as by constant
 practice, use, or habit: accustomed himself to working long hours.  [ME
 accustomen < OFr. acostumer : a, to + costume, custom. -see custom.]



 accustomed  adj.  1. Usual, characteristic, or normal: worked with her
 accustomed thoroughness.  2. In the habit of: accustomed to sleeping late.




 AC/DC  adj.  Slang.  Bisexual (sense 3). [From the likening of a bisexual
 person to an appliance that works on either alternating or direct current.]




 ace  n.  1.  a. A single pip or spot on a playing card, die, or domino. b.
 A playing card, die, or domino having one spot or pip. 2. In racket games:
 a. A serve which one's opponent fails to return. b. A point scored by
 serving an ace. 3. The act of hitting a golf ball in the hole with one's
 first shot. 4.  Informal. A narrow margin. 5. A military aircraft pilot who
 has destroyed five or more enemy aircraft. 6. A person who is an expert in
 his field.   -adj. Informal.  Topnotch; first-rate.   -tr.v.aced acing aces
   1. To serve an ace against. 2. To hit an ace in golf. 3. To get the
 better of (someone). 4. To receive a grade of A on: she aced the exam.

       Idiom Section:  ace in the hole. 1. A hidden advantage. 2. A hole in
 one in golf. within an ace of. . On the verge of; very near to. [ME as <
 OFr. < Lat., unit.]



 -acean   1. -aceous. 2. An organism belonging to a taxonomic group:
 cetacean.  [< NLat -acea, neuter pl. of -aceus, -aceous.]



 acedia  n.  Spiritual torpor; ennui. [LLat. < Gk. akedeia, indifference :
 a-, without + kedos, care.]



 Aceldama  n.  A place with dreadful associations. [After Aceldama, a field
 bought with the money Judas received for betraying Jesus < Gk. Akeldama <
 Aram. haqel dema, field of blood.]



 acellular  adj.  Containing no cells.



 -aceous   1.  a. Of or relating to: amylaceous.  b. Resembling or having
 the nature of: amentaceous.  2. Belonging to a specified taxonomic
 category: orchidaceous.  [NLat -aceus < Lat.]



 acephalous  adj.  1. Headless or lacking a clearly defined head. 2. Having
 no leader. [Med. Lat. acephalus < Gk. akephalos : a-, without + kephale,
 head.]



 acequia  n.  Southwestern U.S.  An irrigation canal. [Sp. < Ar. assaqiyah,
 irrigation ditch.]



 acerate or acerated   adj.  Biology.  Pointed at one end; needle-shaped.
 [< Lat. acer, sharp.]



 acerb  adj.  1. Sour or bitter in taste. 2. Sharp or bitter in temper,
 mood, or expression. [Lat. acerbus.]



 acerbate  tr.v. -bated -bating -bates   To vex or annoy. [Lat. acerbare,
 acerbat-, to make harsh < acerbus, harsh.]



 acerbity  n. pl. -ties  1. Sourness of taste. 2. Sharpness or bitterness
 of temper, mood, or expression.



 acerose  adj.  Slender and sharp-pointed, as a pine needle. [NLat.
 acerosus < Lat. acer, sharp.]



 acervate  adj.  Growing in small heaps or compact clusters. [< Lat.
 acervare, acervat-, to heap up < acervus, heap.]   acervately adv.



 acet-   Variant of aceto-.



 acetabulum  n. pl. -la  1.  Anatomy. The cup-shaped cavity in the hipbone
 into which the head of the thighbone fits. 2.  Zoology. A sucker, such as
 that of an octopus or cuttlefish. [Lat., vinegar cup < acetum, vinegar.]
 acetabular adj.



 acetal  n.  1. A colorless, flammable, volatile liquid, CH3CH(OC2H5)2,
 used in cosmetics and as a solvent. 2. Any of the class of compounds formed
 from aldehydes combined with alcohol. [G. Azetal : acet-, aceto- + Alkohol,
 alcohol.]



 acetaldehyde  n.  A colorless, flammable liquid, C2H4O, used to
 manufacture acetic acid, perfumes, and drugs.



 acetamide or acetamid   n.  The crystalline amide of acetic acid,
 CH3CONH2, used as a solvent and wetting agent and in lacquers and
 explosives.



 acetaminophen  n.  A hydroxy derivative of acetanilide, C8H9NO2, used in
 chemical synthesis and, in medicine, to reduce pain and fever. [acet(o)- +
 amin(o)- + phen(ol).]



 acetanilide or acetanilid   n.  A white crystalline compound,
 C6H5NH(COCH3), used medicinally to relieve pain and reduce fever. [acet(o)-
 + anil(ine) + -ide.]



 acetate  n.  1. A salt or ester of acetic acid. 2. Cellulose acetate or
 any of various products, esp. fibers, derived from it.



 acetic  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or containing acetic acid or vinegar. [<
 Lat. acetum, vinegar. -see acetum]



 acetic acid  n.  A clear, colorless organic acid, CH3COOH, with a
 distinctive pungent odor, used as a solvent and in the manufacture of
 rubber, plastics, acetate fibers, pharmaceuticals, and photographic
 chemicals.



 acetic anhydride  n.  An organic liquid, (CH3CO)2O, with a pungent odor,
 combining with water to produce acetic acid and used in the manufacture of
 various organic acetate derivatives.



 acetify  tr.  -intr.v.-fied -fying -fies   To convert or become converted
 to acetic acid or vinegar.   acetification n.   acetifier n.



 aceto- or acet-    1. Acetic acid: acetify.  2. Acetyl: acetanilide.  [<
 Lat. acetum, vinegar. -see acetum.]



 acetoacetic acid  n.  A syrupy, colorless acid, CH3COCH2COOH, excreted in
 the urine and found in abnormal quantities in the urine of diabetics.



 acetone  n.  A colorless, volatile, extremely flammable liquid, CH3COCH3,
 widely used as an organic solvent.   acetonic adj.



 acetone body  n.  A ketone body.



 acetophenetidin  n.  A white powder or crystalline solid,
 CH3CONHC6H4OC2H5, used in medicine to reduce fever and relieve pain.
 [aceto- + phen(o) + et(hyl) + -id(e) + -in.]



 acetous  adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or producing acetic acid or vinegar.
 2. Having an acetic taste; sour-tasting. [ME, sour < Med. Lat. acetus <
 Lat. acetum, vinegar. -see acetum.]



 acetum  n.  1. Vinegar. 2. An acetic acid solution of a drug. [Lat. acetum
 < acere, to be sour < acer, sharp.]



 acetyl  n.  The acetic acid radical CH3CO.   acetylic adj.



 acetylate  tr.v. -lated -lating -ates   To bring an acetyl group into (an
 organic molecule), using a reagent such as acetic anhydride.   acetylation
 n.



 acetylcholine  n.  A white crystalline compound, C7H17NO3, that transmits
 nerve impulses across intercellular gaps and forms salts used to lower
 blood pressure and increase peristalsis.



 acetylcholinesterase  n.  Cholinesterase.



 acetylene  n.  A colorless, highly flammable or explosive gas, C2H2, used
 for metal welding and cutting and as an illuminant.   acetylenic adj.



 acetylene series  n.  A series of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, each
 containing at least one triple carbon bond, having chemical properties
 resembling acetylene, and having the general formula CnH2n-2 with acetylene
 being the simplest member.



 acetylsalicylic acid  n.  Aspirin.



 acey-deucy  n.  A variation of backgammon. [ace + deuce.]



 achalasia  n.  The inability of a ring muscle or sphincter to relax.
 [NLat. : a-1 + Gk. khalasis, relaxation < khalan, to loosen.]



 Achates  n.  A loyal friend. [After Achates, the faithful companion of
 Aeneas, in the Aeneid, an epic poem by Virgil (70-19 b.c.).]



 ache  intr.v. ached aching aches   1. To suffer a dull, sustained pain. 2.
 To feel sympathy or compassion. 3.  Informal. To yearn painfully.   -n. 1.
 A dull, steady pain. 2.  Informal. A longing or desire. [ME aken < OE
 acan.]



 achene  n.  A small, dry, thinwalled fruit, such as that of the buttercup
 and dandelion, that does not split open when ripe. [NLat. achenium : Gk.
 a-, not + Gk. khainein, to yawn.]   achenial adj.



 Achernar  n.  A star in the constellation Eridanus that is one of the
 brightest stars in the sky and is 114 light-years from Earth. [< Ar. akhir
 alnahr, the end of the river.]



 Acheron  n.  Greek Mythology.  1. The river of woe over which Charon
 ferried the souls of the dead to Hades. 2. Hades. [Gk. Akheron.]



 Acheulian or Acheulean   adj.  Designating a stage of culture of the
 European Lower Paleolithic Age between the second and third interglacial
 periods, characterized by symmetrical stone hand axes. [Fr. acheuleen,
 after St. Acheul, France.]



 achieve  v. achieved achieving achieves   -tr. 1. To do or finish with
 success. 2. To attain or get with effort: finally achieved mastery of the
 piano.  -intr. To accomplish something successfully. [ME acheven < OFr.
 achever < a chief (venir), (to come) to a head.]   achievable adj.
 achiever n.



 achievement  n.  1. The act of accomplishing or finishing something. 2.
 Something that has been accomplished successfully, esp. by means of
 exertion, skill, practice, or perseverance.



 Achilles  n.  Greek Mythology.  The hero of Homer's Iliad, son of Peleus
 and Thetis. [Lat. < Gk. Akhilleus.]



 Achilles' heel  n.  A small but mortal weakness. [From Achilles' being
 vulnerable only in the heel.]



 Achilles jerk  n.  Reflex plantar flexian in response to a blow to the
 Achilles tendon.



 Achilles tendon  n.  The large tendon running from the heel bone to the
 calf muscle of the leg.



 achlamydeous  adj.  Botany.  Having no calyx or corolla.



 acholia  n.  A decrease or absence of bile secretion in the small
 intestine. [NLat. : a-1 + Gk. khole, bile.]



 achondrite  n.  A stony meteorite that contains no chondrules.
 achondritic adj.



 achondroplasia  n.  Improper development of cartilage at the ends of the
 long bones, resulting in congenital dwarfism.   achondroplastic adj.



 achromatic  adj.  1. Designating color perceived to have zero saturation
 and therefore no hue, such as neutral grays. 2. Refracting light without
 spectral color separation. 3.  Biology. Staining poorly with standard dyes.
 4.  Music. Having only the diatonic tones of the scale. [Gk. akhromatos :
 a-, not + khroma, color.]   achromatically adv.   achromatism
 achromaticity n.



 achromatic lens  n.  A combination of lenses to produce images free of
 chromatic aberrations.



 achromatin  n.  The part of a cell nucleus that is relatively uncolored by
 stains or dyes. [achromat(ic) + -in.]   achromatinic adj.



 achromatize  tr.v. -tized -tizing -tizes   To render achromatic; rid of
 color.



 achromic  adj.  Having no color; colorless. [a-1 + chromo- + -ic.]



 achy  adj. -ier -iest   Experiencing aches.   achiness n.



 acicula  n. pl. -lae  A needlelike bristle, spine, or crystal. [NLat. <
 Lat., hairpin, dim. of acus, needle.]   acicular  aciculate aciculated
 adj.



 acid  n.  1.  Chemistry.  a. Any of a large class of substances the
 aqueous solutions of which are capable of turning litmus indicators red, of
 reacting with and dissolving certain metals to form salts, of reacting with
 bases or alkalis to form salts, or having a sour taste. b. A substance that
 ionizes in solution to give the positive ion of the solvent. c. A substance
 capable of giving up a proton. d. A molecule or ion that can combine with
 another by forming a covalent bond with two electrons of the other. 2. A
 substance having a sour taste. 3. The quality of being sarcastic, bitter,
 or scornful: a letter oozing with acid.  4.  Slang. LSD.   -adj. 1.
 Chemistry.  a. Of or pertaining to an acid. b. Having a high concentration
 of acid. 2. Having a sour taste. 3. Biting; sarcastic, or scornful: an acid
 wit.  [Lat. acidus, sour < acere, to be sour < acer, sharp.]   acidly adv.
  acidness n.



 acid cell  n.  A parietal cell of the stomach.



 acidemia  n.  A condition in which blood pH is below normal.



 acid-fast  adj.  Not readily decolorized by acid. Used of bacteria.
 acid-fastness n.



 acidhead  n.  Slang.  A person who uses LSD, esp. frequently.



 acidic  adj.  1. Acid. 2. Tending to form an acid.



 acidify  tr.  -intr.v.-fied -fying -fies   To make or become acid.
 acidifiable adj.   acidification n.   acidifier n.



 acidimeter  n.  A hydrometer used to determine the specific gravity of
 acid solutions.   acidimetric adj.   acidimetry n.



 acidity  n.  1. The state, quality, or degree of being acid. 2.
 Hyperacidity.



 acidophilic or acidophilus   adj.  Microbiology.  1. Growing well in an
 acid medium. 2. Easily stained with acid dyes.   acidophil acidophile  n.



 acidophilus milk  n.  Milk containing bacterial cultures that thrive in
 dilute acid, often used in treating gastrointestinal disorders. [NLat.
 acidophilus, specific epithet of several species of bacteria : acid +
 -philus, -philous.]



 acidosis  n.  An abnormal increase in the acidity of the body's fluids,
 due either to acid-accumulation or bicarbonate depletion.   acldotic adj.



 acid precipitation  n.  Precipitation abnormally high in sulfuric and
 nitric acid content that is caused by industrial pollution.



 acid rain  n.  Acid precipitation falling as rain.



 acid rock  n.  Rock music with lyrics that suggest psychedelic
 experiences.



 acid test  n.  A decisive or critical test of worth or quality. [From the
 testing of gold in nitric acid.]



 acidulate  tr.  -intr.v.-lated -lating -lates   To make or become slightly
 acid. [acidul(ous) + -ate1.]   acidulation n.



 acidulous  adj.  Sour in feeling or manner; biting; caustic. [Lat.
 acidulus, sourish, dim. of acidus, sour. -see acid.]



 aciduria  n.  A condition marked by excessive amounts of acid in the
 urine.



 acinar  adj.  Of or pertaining to an acinus.



 acinus  n. pl. -ni  1.  Botany. One of the small divisions or drupelets of
 an aggregate fruit such as the raspberry. 2. A grape or a bunch of grapes.
 3.  Anatomy. One of the small saclike dilations composing a compound gland.
 [Lat., berry.]   acinic  acinous adj.



 ack-ack  n.  Slang.  1. An antiaircraft gun. 2. Antiaircraft fire.
 [British telephone code for AA, abbreviation for antiaircraft.]



 acknowledge  tr.v. -edged -edging -edges   1.  a. To confess, avow, or
 admit the existence, reality, or truth of. b. To recognize as being valid
 or having force or power. 2.  a. To express recognition of. b. To express
 thanks or gratitude for. 3. To report the receipt of. 4.  Law. To accept or
 certify as legally binding: acknowledge a deed.  [Blend of ME knowledgen,
 to acknowledge (< knowen, to know) and ME aknouen,  to recognize < OE
 oncnawan, to know.]   acknowledgeable adj.

      Synonyms: acknowledge admit own avow confess
 concede These verbs mean to make a disclosure, sometimes with reluctance or
 under pressure. To acknowledge  is to accept responsibility for something
 one makes known or to give recognition to someone. Admit  usually implies
 marked reluctance in acknowledging one's acts or accepting a different
 point of view as a result of pressure. Own  stresses personal acceptance
 of, and responsibility for, one's deeds. Avow , a strong term, means to
 assert openly and boldly and implies the likelihood of opposition. Confess
 usually emphasizes disclosure of wrongdoing. To concede  is to yield to a
 claim or demand, often with some reluctance.




 acknowledged  adj.  Commonly accepted or recognized.



 acknowledgment or acknowledgement   n.  1. The act of admitting or owning
 to something. 2. Recognition of someone's or something's existence,
 validity, authority, or right. 3. An answer or response in return for
 something done. 4. An expression or token of appreciation or thanks. 5. A
 formal declaration made to authoritative witnesses to ensure legal
 validity.



 aclinic line  n.  The magnetic equator.



 acme  n.  The point of utmost attainment; peak. [Gk. akme.]



 acne  n.  An inflammatory disease of the oil glands, characterized by
 pimples esp. on the face. [Poss. < Gk. akme, point.]   acned adj.



 acock  adj.  -adv. In a cocked position.



 acolyte  n.  1. One who assists a priest in the celebration of Mass. 2. An
 attendant or follower. [ME acolit < OFr. < Med. Lat. acolytus < Gk.
 akolouthos, attendant < akolouthein, to follow.]



 aconite  n.  1. The monkshood. 2. The dried, poisonous root of a species
 of monkshood, A. napellus, sometimes used in medicine to relieve pain or to
 reduce fever. [Fr. aconit < Lat. aconitum < Gk. akoniton.]



 acorn  n.  The fruit of the oak tree, consisting of a thick-walled nut
 usually set in a woody, cuplike base. [ME akorn < OE aecern.]



 acorn squash  n.  A type of squash shaped somewhat like an acorn and
 having a longitudinally ridged rind.



 acorn tube  n.  A small, acorn-shaped vacuum tube used in very high
 frequency devices.



 acotyledon  n.  A plant having no cotyledons, or seed leaves, such as a
 moss or fern.   acotyledonous adj.



 acoustic or acoustical   adj.  1. Of or pertaining to sound, the sense of
 hearing, or the science of sound. 2. Designed to carry sound or to aid in
 hearing. 3.  a. Of, relating to, or being a musical instrument, as a
 guitar, that does not feature electronically modified sound. b. Being a
 musical performance that features acoustic instruments: opened the show
 with an acoustic set.    -n. An acoustic musical instrument. [Gk.
 akoustikos, pertaining to hearing < akouein, to hear.]   acoustically adv.



 acoustician  n.  A specialist in acoustics.



 acoustic nerve  n.  The eighth cranial nerve, consisting of the cochlear
 nerve, which conducts acoustic stimuli to the brain, and the vestibular
 nerve, which conducts stimuli related to bodily equilibrium to the brain.



 acoustics  n.  1. The scientific study of sound, esp. of its generation,
 transmission, and reception. 2. The total effect of sound, esp. as produced
 in an enclosed space.



 acoustoelectric  adj.  Of or relating to electroacoustics. [acoust(ic) +
 electric.]   acoustoelectrically adv.



 acoustooptics  n.  The science of the interaction of acoustic and optical
 phenomena. [acoust(ic) + optics.]   acoustooptical adj.   acoustooptically
 adv.



 acquaint  tr.v. -quainted -quainting -quaints   1. To make familiar:
 acquaint yourself with the controls.  2. To inform: acquaint us with your
 plans.  [ME aqueinten < OFr. acointier < Med. Lat. adcognitare < Lat.
 accognoscere, to know perfectly : ad- (intensive) + cognoscere, to know.
 -see cognition.]



 acquaintance  n.  1. Knowledge or information about someone or something.
 2. Knowledge of a person acquired by a relationship less intimate than
 friendship. 3. A person or persons whom one knows.   acquaintanceship n.



 acquainted  adj.  1. Known by or familiar with another. 2. Informed or
 familiar: acquainted with the facts.



 acquiesce  intr.v. -esced -escing -esces   To consent or comply passively
 or without protest. [Lat. acquiescere : ad-, to + quiescere, to rest <
 quies, rest.]

      Usage: When acquiesce  takes a preposition, it is usually used with in
  (acquiesced in the ruling ) but sometimes with to  (acquiesced to her
 parents' wishes ). Acquiesced with  is obsolete.



 acquiescence  n.  1. Passive assent or agreement without protest. 2. The
 state of being acquiescent.   acquiescent adj.   acquiescently adv.



 acquire  tr.v. -quired -quiring -quires   1. To gain possession of. 2. To
 get by one's own efforts. [ME acquere < OFr. aquerre < Lat. acquirere, to
 add to : ad-,  to + quaerere,  to get.]   acquirable adj.



 acquired antibody  n.  An antibody produced by an immune response as
 compared with one occurring in the system naturally.



 acquired immune deficiency syndrome  n.  AIDS.



 acquired immunity  n.  Immunity developed in the physiology during a
 lifetime.



 acquirement  n.  1. The act of acquiring. 2. An attainment, such as a
 skill or social accomplishment.



 acquisition  n.  1. The act of acquiring. 2. Something acquired, esp. an
 addition to an established category or group. 3.  Aerospace. The process of
 locating a satellite, guided missile, or moving target so that its track or
 orbit can be determined. [ME adquisicioun, attainment < Lat. acquisitio <
 acquirere, to acquire : ad-, to + quaerere, to seek.]



 acquisitive  adj.  1. Characterized by a strong desire to gain and
 possess. 2. Tending to acquire and retain ideas or information: an
 acquisitive mind.    acquisitively adv.   acquisitiveness n.



 acquit  tr.v. -quitted -quitting -quits   1. To free or clear from a
 charge or accusation. 2. To release or discharge from a duty. 3. To repay
 (an obligation). 4. To conduct (oneself). [ME aquiten < OFr. aquiter.]
 acquitter n.



 acquittal  n.  Law.  The judgment of a jury or judge that a person is not
 guilty of a crime as charged.



 acquittance  n.  A written release from an obligation.



 acrasia  n.  Lack of self-control. [Gk. akrasia, incontinence < akrates,
 powerless : a-, not + kratos, strength.]



 acre  n.  1. A unit of area in the U.S. Customary System, used in land
 measurement and equal to 160 square rods, 4,840 square yards, or 43,560
 square feet. 2. acres  Property in the form of land; estate. 3. acres  A
 wide expanse of land. 4.  Archaic. A field or plot of land. [ME aker < OE
 aecer.]



 acreage  n.  Area of land in acres.



 acre-foot  n.  The volume of water, 43,560 cubic feet, that will cover an
 area of one acre to a depth of one foot.



 acre-inch  n.  One-twelfth of an acre-foot, equal to 3,630 cubic feet.



 acrid  adj.  1. Harsh to the taste or smell. 2. Caustic in language or
 tone. [< Lat. acer, sharp.]   acridity acridness  n.   acridly adv.



 acridine  n.  A coal tar derivative, C13H9N, that has a strongly
 irritating odor and is used in the manufacture of dyes and synthetics.



 acriflavine  n.  A brown or orange powder, C14H14N3Cl, derived from
 acridine and used as an antiseptic. [acri(dine) + flavin.]



 acrimonious  adj.  Bitter in language or tone; rancorous.   acrimoniously
 adv.   acrimoniousness n.



 acrimony  n.  Bitterness or ill-natured animosity, esp. in speech or
 manner. [Lat. acrimonia, sharpness < acer, sharp.]



 acro- or acr-    1.  a. Top; summit: acropetal.  b. Height: acrophobia.
 2.  a. Tip; beginning: acronym.  b. Extremity of the body: acromegaly.  [<
 Gk. akros, extreme.]



 acrobat  n.  One skilled in feats of agility and balance. [Fr. acrobate <
 Gk. akrobates < akrobatein, to walk on tiptoe : akros, high + batos, walker
 < bainein, to walk.]   acrobatic adj.   acrobatically adv.



 acrobatics  n.  1. The actions of an acrobat. 2. The art of an acrobat. 3.
 A display of spectacular agility: vocal acrobatics.



 acrocarpous  adj.  Having the spore-bearing capsule at the end or top of a
 leafy stem or stalk, as in many mosses. [NLat. acrocarpus < Gk. akrokarpos,
 bearing fruit at the top : akron, top + karpos, fruit.]



 acrocephaly or acrocephalia   n.  Oxycephaly.   acrocephalic adj.



 acrodrome or acrodromous   adj.  Coming to a point and having the veins
 terminate at the tip. Used of leaves.



 acrogen  n.  A flowerless plant, such as a fern or moss, having a stem
 from the tip of which all growth proceeds.   acrogenic acrogenous  adj.
 acrogenously adv.



 acrolein  n.  A colorless, flammable, poisonous liquid, CH2CHCHO, having
 an acrid odor and vapors dangerous to the eyes. [acr(id) + olein.]



 acromegaly  n.  Pathological enlargement of the bones of the hands, feet,
 and face, resulting from chronic overactivity of the pituitary gland. [Fr.
 acromegalie : Gk. akron, extremity + Gk. megas, big.]   acromegalic adj. n.




 acromelic  adj.  Of, relating to, or pertinent to the end of the
 extremities. [acro- + Gk. melos, limb.]



 acromion  n.  The outer extremity of the scapula or shoulder blade. [NLat.
 < Gk. akromion : akros, extreme + omion, dim. of omos, shoulder.]



 acronym  n.  A word formed from the initial letters of a name, as WAC for
 W omen's A rmy C orps, or by combining initial letters or parts of a series
 of words, as radar for ra dio d etecting a nd r anging.   acronymic
 acronymous adj.



 acropetal  adj.  Developing upward toward the apex from the base, as do
 certain forms of inflorescence.   acropetally adv.



 acrophobia  n.  Abnormally intense fear of being in high places.



 acropolis  n.  The fortified height or citadel of an ancient Greek city,
 esp. the citadel of Athens. [Gk. akropolis : akron, top + polis, city.]



 acrospire  n.  The first sprout from a germinating grain seed. [Var. of
 dial. akerspire < ME : acher, ear of grain (< OE aekher) + spire, shoot <
 OE spir.]



 across  prep.  1. On, at, or from the other side of: across the road.  2.
 So as to cross; over; through: draw lines across the paper.  3. From one
 side of to the other: a bridge across a river.  4. Into contact with: came
 across her old roommate.    -adv. 1. From one side to the other: The bridge
 swayed when he ran across.  2. On or to the opposite side: We came across
 by ferry.  3. Crossed; crosswise: with arms across.  [ME acrois < AN an
 croiz : an, in + croiz, cross.]



 across-the-board  adj.  1. Designating a racing wager whereby equal
 amounts are bet on the same contestant to win, place, or show. 2. Including
 all categories or members, esp. in an occupation or industry: an
 across-the-board wage increase.



 acrostic  n.  1. A poem or series of lines in which certain letters,
 usually the first in each line, form a name, motto, or message when read in
 sequence. 2. A word square. [Fr. acrostiche < OFr. < Gk. akrostikhis :
 akron, end + stikhos, line.]   acrostic adj.   acrostically adv.



 acrylate resin or acrylate   n.  Any of a class of acrylic resins used in
 emulsion paints, adhesives, plastics, and textile and paper finishes.



 acrylic  n.  1. Acrylic resin. 2. Acrylic fiber. 3. A paint containing
 acrylic resin. [acr(olein) + -yl + -ic.]   acrylic adj.



 acrylic acid  n.  An easily polymerized, colorless, corrosive liquid,
 H2C:CHCOOH, used as a monomer for acrylate resins.



 acrylic fiber  n.  Any of numerous synthetic fibers polymerized from
 acrylonitrile.



 acrylic resin  n.  Any of numerous thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers
 or copolymers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, esters of these acids, or
 acrylonitrile, used to produce synthetic rubbers and lightweight plastics.



 acrylonitrile  n.  A colorless, liquid organic compound, H2C:CHCN, used in
 the manufacture of acrylic rubber and fibers. [acryl(ic resin) + nitrile.]



 act  n.  1. The process of doing or performing something; action: the act
 of thinking.  2. Something that is done or performed; deed: a charitable
 act.  3. An enactment, edict, or decree, as of a judicial or legislative
 body. 4. A formal written record of proceedings or transactions. 5. One of
 the major divisions or sections of a play or opera. 6. A theatrical
 performance that forms part of a longer presentation: a juggling act.  7. A
 manifestation of intentional or unintentional insincerity; pose: put on an
 act.    -v.acted acting acts   -tr. 1. To play the part of; assume the
 dramatic role of. 2. To perform on the stage: act a drama.  3. To behave
 like or pose as; impersonate: act the fool.  4. To behave as suitable for:
 Act your age.  -intr. 1. To behave or comport oneself: She acts like a
 lady.  2.  a. To perform in a dramatic role or roles. b. To be suitable for
 theatrical performance: This scene acts well.  3. To behave affectedly or
 unnaturally; pretend. 4. To appear or seem to be: The dog acted ferocious.
 5. To carry out an action: She acted immediately.  6. To operate or
 function in a specific way: His mind acts quickly.  7. To serve or function
 as a substitute for someone or something: A coin can act as a screwdriver.
 Phrasal verb.  act on upon. 1. To act according to: He acted on my advice.
 2. To produce an effect on. act out. . 1.  a. To perform in or as if in a
 play; dramatize: act out a story.  b. To realize in action: wanted to act
 out his theory.  2.  Psychoanalysis.  To express (unconscious impulses, for
 example) in an overt manner without awareness or understanding. act up. .
 To misbehave or malfunction. [ME < OFr. acte < Lat. actus, a doing, and
 actum, a thing done, both < agere, to do.]   actability n.   actable adj.

      Usage: The nouns act  and action  are distinct in meaning. An act  is
 the deed accomplished by means of an action ; when Brutus killed Caesar, he
 committed the act  of murder by means of the action  of stabbing. We speak
 of a stop-action movie camera  (i.e., one that can arrest physical motion),
 but a criminal is caught in the act  (i.e., of committing a crime). A
 baseball pitcher may throw with an unnatural action  (i.e., a physical
 movement difficult for the human arm); a parent who abandons a child
 performs an unnatural act  (the deed is contrary to nature, not the series
 of activities with which it is performed).



 Actaeon  n.  Greek Mythology.  A young hunter who, having inadvertently
 observed Artemis while she was bathing, was turned by her into a stag and
 killed by his own dogs. [Lat. < Gk. Aktaion.]



 ACTH  n.  A pituitary hormone synthesized or extracted from mammalian
 pituitaries for use in stimulating secretion of cortisone and other adrenal
 cortex hormones. [a(dreno)c(ortico)t(ropic) h(ormone).]



 actin  n.  A muscle protein, active with myosin in muscular contraction.
 [Lat. actus, motion (< agere, to impel) + -in.]



 actin-   Variant of actino-.



 actinal  adj.  Of or designating the part of a sea anemone or similar
 animal from which the tentacles or rays radiate.   actinally adv.



 acting  adj.  1. Temporarily assuming the duties or authority of another.
 2. Containing directions for use in a dramatic performance.   -n. 1. The
 occupation of an actor. 2. Performance as an actor. 3. Simulated behavior;
 pretense.



 actinia or actinian   n. pl. -iae  or -ians  A sea anemone or a related
 animal. [NLat. Actinia, sea anemone genus < Gk. aktis, ray.]



 actinic  adj.  Of or pertaining to actinism.   actinically adv.



 actinic ray  n.  Photochemically active radiation, as of the sun.



 actinide  n.  Any of a series of chemically similar, mostly synthetic,
 radioactive elements with atomic numbers ranging from 89 (actinium) through
 103 (lawrencium).



 actinism  n.  The intrinsic property in radiation that produces
 photochemical activity.



 actinium  n.  Ac  A radioactive element found in uranium ores, used in
 equilibrium with its decay products as a source of alpha rays. Its longest
 lived isotope is Ac 227 with a half-life of 21.7 years. Atomic number 89;
 melting point 1,050 deg. C; boiling point (estimated) 3,200 deg. C;
 specific gravity (calculated) 10.07; valence 3.



 actino- or actin-    1. Radial in form: actinoid.  2. Actinic radiation:
 actinometer.  [< Gk. aktis, aktin-, ray.]



 actinocarpous  adj.  Having fruit or flowers radiating from one point.



 actinogen  n.  A radioactive element.



 actinoid
 actinoid(1)  adj.  Having a radial form, as a starfish.
 actinoid(2)  n.    An actinide.



 actinolite  n.  A greenish variety of amphibole.



 actinomere  n.  A segment composing part of the body of a radially
 symmetrical animal.



 actinometer  n.  Any of several radiometric instruments, such as a
 pyrheliometer, used chiefly for meteorological measurements of terrestrial
 and solar radiation.   actinometric actinometrical  adj.   actinometry n.



 actinomorphic or actinomorphous   adj.  Having radial symmetry; divisible
 vertically through two or more planes into similar halves.



 actinomycete  n.  Any of numerous generally filamentous and often
 pathogenic microorganisms of the family Actinomycetaceae, resembling both
 bacteria and fungi.



 actinomycin  n.  Any of various often toxic antibiotic substances found in
 soil bacteria. [< NLat. Antinomyces, a genus of soil bacteria : actino- +
 Gk. mukes, fungus.]



 actinomycosis  n.  An inflammatory infection of cattle, hogs, and
 sometimes man, caused by microorganisms of the genus Actinomyces, and
 characterized by lumpy tumors of the neck, chest, and abdomen.
 actinomycotic adj.



 actinon  n.  A radioactive inert gaseous isotope of radon, with a
 half-life of 3.92 seconds.



 actinouranium  n.  The isotope of uranium with mass number 235,
 fissionable with slow neutrons.



 actinozoan  n.  An anthozoan.



 action  n.  1. The state or process of acting or doing. 2. An act or deed.
 3. A movement or a series of movements. 4. The manner of movement: a horse
 with good action.  5. Habitual or vigorous activity; energy: a man of
 action.  6. actions  Behavior or conduct. 7.  a. The operating parts of a
 mechanism. b. The manner in which such parts operate. 8. A change that
 occurs in the body or in a bodily organ as a result of its functioning. 9.
 A physical change, as in position, mass, or energy, that an object or
 system undergoes. 10. The series of events and episodes that form the plot
 of a story or play. 11. The appearance of animation of a figure in painting
 or sculpture. 12.  Law.  a. A judicial process; lawsuit. b. The right of an
 individual to exercise his privilege to legal process. 13. Armed encounter;
 combat. 14. The most important or exciting work or activity in a specific
 field or area: always heads for where the action is. -See Usage note at
 act.



 actionable  adj.  Giving just cause for legal action.   actionably adv.



 action painting  n.  A style of abstract painting that uses techniques
 such as dribbling or splashing paint to achieve an effect of spontaneity.



 action potential  n.  A recorded change in electrical potential of a cell
 or tissue when stimulated.



 activate  tr.v. -vated -vating -vates   1. To set in motion; make active.
 2. To create or organize (a military unit, for example). 3. To purify
 (sewage) by aeration. 4.  Chemistry. To accelerate a reaction in, as by
 heat. 5.  Physics. To make (a substance) radioactive.   activation n.
 activator n.



 activated carbon or activated charcoal   n.  Highly absorbent carbon
 obtained by heating granulated charcoal to exhaust contained gases, used in
 gas absorption, solvent recovery, or deodorization, and as an antidote to
 certain poisons.



 activation analysis  n.  A method for analyzing a material for its
 component chemical elements by bombarding it with nuclear particles or
 gamma rays and identifying the resultant radiations.



 active  adj.  1. In action; moving. 2. Functioning or capable of
 functioning. 3. Causing or initiating action or change. 4. Engaged in
 activity; participating: an active member of a club.  5. In a state of
 action; not passive or quiescent: an active volcano.  6. Characterized by
 energetic action or activity; lively. 7.  Grammar.  a. Denoting a verb
 inflection or voice indicating that the subject of the sentence is
 performing or causing the action expressed by the verb. b. Expressing
 action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak,
 move.  8. Producing profit, interest, or dividends: active accounts.  9. On
 full military duty and full pay. 10.  Music. Suggesting that something
 follows: active tones.    -n. 1.  Grammar.  a. The active voice. b. A
 construction or form in the active voice. 2. A participating member of an
 organization. [ME actif < OFr. < Lat. activus < actus, moving, p.part. of
 agere, to impel.]   actively adv.   activeness n.

      Synonyms: active energetic dynamic vigorous lively These
 adjectives are compared as they qualify human activity. Active  suggests a
 moving to and fro with little rest; energetic , sustained enthusiastic
 action with unflagging strength; and dynamic , exemplary forcefulness of
 activity inspiring to others. Vigorous  implies manly capacity to act with
 healthy strength and firmness, while lively  suggests brisk alertness and
 energy.




 active immunity  n.  A long-lasting immunity to disease due to antibody
 production by an organism.



 active transport  n.  The movement of a chemical substance through a
 gradient of concentration or electrical potential in the direction opposite
 to normal diffusion, requiring the expenditure of energy.



 activism  n.  A theory or practice based on militant action.   activist n.




 activity  n. pl. -ties  1. The state of being active. 2. Energetic action
 or movement. 3. A specified form of supervised action or field of action.
 4. The intensity of a radioactive source.



 act of God  n.  Law.  An unforeseeable or inevitable occurrence, such as a
 tornado, caused by nature and not by man.



 actomyosin  n.  A system of actin and myosin that with other substances
 constitutes muscle fiber and is responsible for muscular contraction and
 expansion. [act(in) + myosin.]



 actor  n.  1. A male theatrical performer. 2. One who takes part;
 participant. [ME actour < Lat. actor, doer < agere, to do.]



 actress  n.  A female theatrical performer.



 Acts of the Apostles  n.  See table at Bible.



 actual  adj.  1. Existing in fact or reality: questioned her actual
 intentions.  2. Being, existing, or acting at the present moment; current.
 3. Corresponding to all human facts. 4. Based on fact: an actual account.
 [ME < OFr. actuel < Lat. actualis < actus, acting < agere, to do.]
 actually adv.



 actuality  n. pl. -ties  1. The state or fact of being actual; reality. 2.
 actualities  Actual conditions or facts.



 actualize  tr.v. -ized -izing -izes   1. To realize in action. 2. To
 describe or portray realistically.   actualization n.



 actuary  n. pl. -ies  A statistician who computes insurance risks and
 premiums. [Lat. actuarius, secretary of accounts < acta, records < actus,
 p.part. of agere, to do.]   actuarial adj.   actuarially adv.



 actuate  tr.v. -ated -ating -ates   1. To put into action or motion:
 actuate a mechanism.  2. To move to action. [Med. Lat. actuare, actuat- <
 Lat. actus, act < agere, to do.]   actuation n.



 actuator  n.  One that activates, esp. a device responsible for actuating
 a mechanical device, as one connected to a computer by a sensor link.



 acuate  adj.  Pointed at the end; sharpened. [ME acuat < Med. Lat. acuatus
 < Lat. acus, needle.]



 acuity  n.  Acuteness of perception; keenness. [ME acuite < OFr. < Lat.
 acutus, sharp. -see acute.]



 aculeate  adj.  Biology.  Having a sting or prickles: aculeate insects.
 [Lat. aculeatus < aculeus, sting, dim. of acus, needle.]



 acumen  n.  Quickness and accuracy of judgment; keenness of insight. [Lat.
 acumen < acuere, to sharpen < acus, needle.]



 acuminate  adj.  Tapering to a sharp point: acuminate leaves.    -tr.v.
 -nated -nating -nates   To sharpen or taper. [Lat. acuminatus, p.part. of
 acuminare, to sharpen < acumen, acuteness. -see acumen.]   acumination n.



 acupuncture  n.  A traditional Chinese therapeutic technique whereby the
 body is punctured with fine needles. [Lat. acus, needle + puncture.]
 acupuncturist n.



 acute  adj.  1. Having a sharp point or tip; not blunt. 2. Keenly
 perceptive or discerning; shrewd. 3. Reacting readily to impressions;
 sensitive. 4. Of great importance or consequence; crucial. 5. Extremely
 severe or sharp; intense: acute pain.  6.  Medicine. Reaching a crisis
 rapidly. Used of a disease. 7.  Music. High in pitch; shrill. 8.  Geometry.
 Designating angles less than 90 degrees. [Lat. acutus, p.part. of acuere,
 to sharpen < acus, needle.]   acutely adv.   acuteness n.



 acute accent  n.  A mark () indicating: a. A raised pitch, in certain
 languages such as Chinese and Ancient Greek. b. Primary stress of a spoken
 sound or syllable. c. Metrical stress in poetry. d. Sound quality or vowel
 length.



 acyclic  adj.  1.  Botany. Not having or forming whorls; not cyclic. 2.
 Chemistry. Having an open-chain molecular structure rather than a
 ring-shaped structure.



 acyl  n.  Chemistry.  A radical having the general formula RCO-, derived
 from an organic acid. [ac(id) + -yl.]



 ad
 ad(1)  n.  Informal.  An advertisement.
 ad(2)  n.  An advantage (sense 4).



 ad-   1. or ac-or af-or ag-or al- or
 ap-or as-or at-.Toward; to: adnoun.  2. Near; at: adrenal.  3. In:
 adumbrel.  [Lat. < ad, to.]



 -ad   Toward; in the direction of: cephalad.



 adage  n.  A short maxim or proverb. [Fr. < OFr. < Lat. adagium, proverb.]




 adagio  adv.  Music.  Slowly. Used as a direction.   -adj. Music.  Slow in
 tempo; slower than andante.   -n.pl. -agios  1.  Music. A composition or
 movement played in an adagio tempo. 2. A section of a pas de deux in which
 the ballerina and her partner perform steps requiring lyricism and great
 skill in lifting, balancing, and turning. [Ital. : ad-, at (< Lat.) + agio,
 ease < OProv. aize < Lat. adjacens, convenient. -see adjacent.]



 Adam
 Adam(1)  n.  1. In the Old Testament, the first man and progenitor of
 mankind. 2. The unregenerate side of human nature: the old Adam.  [LLat. <
 Heb. 'adham, man < 'adhamah, earth.]   Adamic adj.
 Adam(2)  adj.  Of or pertaining to the neoclassic style of furniture and
 architecture originated by Robert and James Adam.



 Adam-and-Eve  n.  The puttyroot. [From its human-shaped corms.]



 adamant  n.  1. A legendary stone believed to be impenetrable. 2. An
 extremely hard substance.   -adj. Firm in purpose or opinion; unyielding.
 [ME < OFr. adamaunt < Lat. adamas < Gk.]



 adamantine  adj.  1. Made of or resembling adamant. 2. Having the hardness
 or luster of a diamond. 3. Unyielding or inflexible.



 Adam's apple  n.  The projection of the largest laryngeal cartilage at the
 front of the throat, esp. in men. [Trans. of Heb. tappuah haadam.]



 Adam's needle  n.  The Spanish bayonet (sense 2). [From the spines on its
 leaves.]



 adapt  v. adapted adapting adapts   -tr. To adjust to a specified use or
 situation. -intr. To become adapted. [Lat. adaptare : ad-, to + aptare, to
 fit < aptus, fitting.]



 adaptable  adj.  Capable of adapting or of being adapted.   adaptability
 adaptableness n.



 adaptation  n.  1.  a. The state of being adapted. b. The act or process
 of adapting. 2. Something that is changed or changes so as to become
 suitable to a new or special use or situation. 3. An alteration or
 adjustment, often hereditary, by which a species or individual improves its
 condition in relationship to its environment. 4. The responsive alteration
 of a sense organ to repeated stimuli. 5. Change in behavior of an
 individual or group in adjustment to new or modified cultural surroundings.
   adaptational adj.   adaptationally adv.



 adapter or adaptor   n.  1. One that adapts. 2. A device used to effect
 operative compatibility between different parts of one or more pieces of
 apparatus.



 adaption  n.  Adaptation.



 adaptive  adj.  Tending toward, fit for, or having a capacity for
 adaptation.   adaptively adv.   adaptiveness n.



 adaptive radiation  n.  The evolution of a relatively unspecialized
 species into several related species characterized by different
 specializations that fit them for life in various environments.



 Adar  n.  The sixth month of the year in the Hebrew calendar. See table at
 calendar. [ME < Heb. Adhar < Akkadian addaru < adaru, to be dark.]



 Adar Sheni  n.  Veadar. [Heb. Adhar sheni, second Adar.]



 adaxial  adj.  Of, relating to, or being on the side toward the stem or
 axis.



 add  v. added adding adds   -tr. 1. To join or unite so as to increase in
 size, quantity, or scope. 2. To combine (a column of figures, for example)
 to form a sum. 3. To say or write further. -intr. 1. To create or
 constitute an addition: an exploit that will add to her reputation.  2. To
 find a sum in arithmetic. Phrasal verb.  add up. Informal.  To be
 reasonable, plausible, or consistent; make sense. add up to. Informal.  To
 mean; indicate. [ME adden < Lat. addere : ad-, to + dare, to give.]
 addable  addible adj.



 addax  n.  An antelope, Addax nasomaculatus, of northern Africa having
 long, spirally twisted horns. [Lat., of African orig.]



 added-value tax  n.  Value-added tax.



 addend  n.  Any of a set of numbers to be added. [Short for addendum.]



 addendum  n. pl. -da  Something added or to be added, esp. a supplement to
 a book. [Lat. < addere, to add.]



 adder
 adder(1)  n.  One that adds, esp. a computer device that performs
 arithmetic addition.
 adder(2)  n.  1. Any of various venomous Old World snakes of the family
 Viperidae, esp. the common viper, Vipera berus, of Eurasia. 2. Any of
 several nonvenomous snakes popularly believed to be harmful. [ME < an
 addre, alteration of a naddre : a, a + naddre, snake < OE naedre.]



 adder's-mouth  n.  Any of various orchids of the genus Malaxis, having
 clusters of small, usually greenish flowers. [From the resemblance of its
 flowers to the open mouths of snakes.]



 adder's-tongue  n.  1. Any of several ferns of the genus Ophioglossum,
 having a single sterile, leaflike frond, and a spore-bearing stalk. 2. The
 dogtooth violet. [From the resemblance of the spike at the base of the
 frond to a snake's tongue.]



 addict  tr.v. -dicted -dicting -dicts   To devote or give (oneself)
 habitually or compulsively: addicted to alcohol.    -n.  1. One who is
 addicted, esp. to narcotics. 2. A devoted fan: a soap opera addict.  [<
 Lat. addictus, bondsman, p.part of addicere, to sentence : ad-, to +
 dicere, to adjudge.]   addiction n.   addictive adj.



 Addison's disease  n.  A disease caused by failure of the adrenal cortex
 to function, marked by a bronzelike skin pigmentation, anemia, and
 prostration. [After Thomas Addison (1793-1860), its discoverer.]



 addition  n.  1. The act or process of adding. 2. Something added, esp. a
 room or section added to a building. 3. The process of computing with sets
 of numbers so as to find their sum.

       Idiom Section:  in addition. Also; as well as. in addition to. Over
 and above; besides. [ME < OFr. < Lat. additio < additus, p.part. of addere,
 to add.]   additional adj.   additionally adv.



 additive  adj.  Marked by, produced by, or involving addition.   -n. A
 substance added in small amounts to something else to improve, strengthen,
 or otherwise alter it.



 additive identity  n.  An identity element that in a given mathematical
 system leaves unchanged any element to which it is added.



 additive identity element  n.  Zero.



 additive inverse  n.  Inverse (sense 2.b.).



 addle  v. -dled -dling -dles   -tr. To muddle; confuse:  My brain is a bit
 addled by whiskey (O'Neill). -intr. 1. To become rotten; spoil. 2. To
 become confused.   -adj. 1. Mixed up; confused: addle-brained.  2. Spoiled
 or rotten. [< ME adel, muddled < OE, filth.]



 address  tr.v. -dressed -dressing -dresses   1. To speak to. 2. To make a
 formal speech to. 3. To direct (a spoken or written message) to the
 attention of: address a protest to the Council.  4. To mark with a
 destination: address a letter.  5.  a. To direct (oneself) in speech to. b.
 To direct the efforts or attention of (oneself): address oneself to a task.
  6. To dispatch or consign (a ship, for example) to an agent or factor. 7.
 To adjust and aim the club at (a golf ball) in preparing for a stroke.
 -n.  1. A formal spoken or written communication: polite forms of address.
 2. A formal speech. 3.  The written or printed indication on mail or other
 deliverable items indicating destination. 4.  The location at which a
 particular organization or person may be found or reached. 5. addresses
 Courteous attentions; wooing. 6. The manner or bearing of a person, esp. in
 conversation. 7. Skillfulness or tact in handling a situation. 8. The act
 of dispatching or consigning a ship, as to an agent or factor. 9.  Computer
 Science. A number used in information storage or retrieval that is assigned
 to a specific memory location. [ME adressen < OFr. adresser : a-, to (<
 Lat. ad-) + dresser, to arrange. -see dress.]



 addressable  adj.  Accessible through an address, as in computer memory.



 addressee  n.  One to whom something is addressed.



 addresser or addressor   n.  A person who or a machine that addresses.



 adduce  tr.v. -duced -ducing -duces   To cite as an example or means of
 proof in an argument; bring forward for consideration. [Lat. adducere, to
 bring to : ad-, to + ducere, to lead.]   adduceable  adducible adj.



 adduct  tr.v. -ducted -ducting -ducts   Physiology.  To pull or draw
 toward the main axis. Used of muscles. [Back-formation from adductor.]
 adduction n.   adductive adj.



 adductor  n.  A muscle that adducts. [NLat. < Lat. adducere, to bring to.
 -see adduce.]



 -ade   A sweetened beverage of: limeade.  [Fr., ult. < Lat. -ata, fem. of
 -atus, -ate.]



 Adelie penguin  n.  A common Antarctic penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, of
 medium size, that has white underparts and a black back and head, and that
 lives and breeds in large exposed rookeries. [After the Adelie Coast,
 Antarctica.]



 -adelphous   Having one or more groups of stamens: diadelphous.  [NLat.
 -adelphus < Gk. adelphos, brother.]



 ademption  n.  Law.  The disposal by a testator of specific property
 bequeathed in his will so as to invalidate the bequest. [Lat. ademptio, a
 taking away < adimere, to take away : ad-, to + emere, to take.]



 aden-   Variant of adeno-.



 adenectomy  n.  Surgical excision of a gland.



 adenine  n.  A purine derivative, C5H5N5, that is a constituent of nucleic
 acid in organs, as the pancreas and spleen.



 adenitis  n.  Inflammation of a lymph node or gland.



 adeno- or aden-    Gland: adenectomy.  [< Gk. aden.]



 adenocarcinoma  n.  A malignant tumor originating in glandular tissue.
 adenocarcinomatous adj.



 adenohypophysis  n.  The anterior and intermediate glandular lobes of the
 pituitary gland.   adenohypophyseal  adenohypophysial adj.



 adenoid  n.  Lymphoid tissue growths in the nose above the throat that
 when swollen may obstruct nasal breathing, induce postnasal discharge, and
 make speech difficult.



 adenoidal  adj.  1. Glandlike; glandular. 2. Of or pertaining to the
 adenoids. 3.  a. Having a nasal or constricted tone: an adenoidal singer.
 b. Mouth-breathing or gaping.



 adenoma  n.  An epithelial tumor of glandular origin and structure that is
 usually benign or of low-grade malignancy.   adenomatous adj.



 adenosine  n.  An organic compound, C10H13N5O4, that is a structural
 component of nucleic acids. [Blend of adenine and ribose.]



 adenosine diphosphate  n.  ADP.



 adenosine monophosphate  n.  1. Cyclic AMP. 2. AMP.



 adenosine triphosphate  n.  ATP.



 adenovirus  n.  Any of various animal viruses that cause respiratory
 diseases, as catarrh, in humans.   adenoviral adj.



 adenylate cyclase or adenyl cyclase   n.  The enzyme that catalyzes
 formation of cyclic AMP from ATP. [aden(ine) + -yl + -ate1 + cycl- + -ase.]




 adept  adj.  Highly skilled or proficient.   -n.  A highly skilled person;
 expert. [Lat. adeptus, p.part. of adipisci, to arrive at.]   adeptly adv.
 adeptness n.



 adequate  adj.  1. Able to satisfy a requirement; suitable. 2. Barely
 satisfactory or sufficient. [Lat. adaequatus, p.part. of adaequare, to
 equalize : ad-, to + aequare, to make equal < aequus, equal.]   adequacy
 adequateness  n.   adequately adv.



 a deux  adj.  Of or involving two individuals, esp. when of a private or
 intimate nature.   -adv. Privately with only two individuals involved:
 dining a deux.  [Fr.]



 adhere  intr.v. -hered -hering -heres   1. To stick fast or together by or
 as if by grasping, suction, or being glued. 2. To be devoted as a follower
 or supporter. 3. To follow closely; carry out without deviation: adhere to
 a plan.  [Fr. adherer < Lat. adhaerere, to stick to : ad-, to + haerere, to
 stick.]



 adherence  n.  1. The process or condition of adhering. 2. Faithful
 attachment; devotion.



 adherent  adj.  1. Sticking or holding fast. 2.  Botany. Growing or fused
 together; adnate.   -n. A supporter, as of a cause or individual.
 adherently adv.



 adhesion  n.  1. The act or state of adhering. 2. Attachment or devotion;
 loyalty. 3. Assent or agreement. 4. A condition in which bodily tissues
 that are normally separate are joined together. 5. The physical attraction
 or joining of two substances, esp. the macroscopically observable
 attraction of dissimilar substances. 6. A fibrous band holding together
 normally separate anatomical structures. 7. The pathological aggregation of
 dissimilar body materials to a visceral surface due to inflammation or
 trauma. [Fr. adhesion < Lat. adhaesio < adhaerere, to adhere.]



 adhesiotomy  n. pl. -mies  The surgical division of adhesions.



 adhesive  adj.  1. Tending to adhere; sticky. 2. Gummed so as to adhere.
 -n. An adhesive substance, such as paste or cement.   adhesively adv.
 adhesiveness n.



 adhesive tape  n.  A tape lined on one side with an adhesive.



 ad hoc  adj.  -adv. For a specific purpose, case, or situation: an ad hoc
 committee.  [Lat., to this.]



 ad hominem  adj.  -adv. To the man; appealing to personal interests,
 prejudices, or emotions rather than to reason: an ad hominem argument.
 [Lat.]



 adiabatic  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or designating a reversible
 thermodynamic process executed at constant entropy; loosely, occurring
 without gain or loss of heat. [Gk. adiabatos, impassable : a-, not +
 diabatos, passable (dia, through + batos, passable < bainein,  to go).]
 adiabatically adv.



 adieu  interj.  Good-by; farewell.   -n.pl. adieus  or adieux  A farewell.
 [ME < OFr. a dieu, (I commend you) to God : a, to (< Lat. ad) + Dieu, God <
 Lat. deus.]



 ad infinitum  adj.  -adv. To infinity; without end; limitless. [Lat.]



 ad interim  adj.  -adv. In the meantime; meanwhile. [Lat.]



 adios  interj.  Good-by; farewell. [Sp. adios : a, to (< Lat. ad) + Dios,
 God < Lat. deus.]



 adipocere  n.  A brown, fatty, waxlike substance that forms on dead animal
 tissues in response to moisture. [adipo(se) + Lat. cera, wax.]



 adipose  adj.  Of or related to animal fat; fatty.   -n. The fat found in
 adipose tissue. [NLat. adiposus < Lat. adeps, lard.]   adiposeness
 adiposity n.



 adipose tissue  n.  Connective tissue in the body that contains stored
 cellular fat.



 adit  n.  An almost horizontal entrance to a mine. [Lat. aditus, access <
 adire, to approach : ad-, toward + ire, to go.]



 adjacency  n. pl. -cies  1. The state of being adjacent; contiguity. 2. A
 thing that is adjacent.



 adjacent  adj.  1. Close to; lying near. 2. Next to; adjoining. [ME < Lat.
 adjacens, pr.part. of adjacere, to lie near : ad-, near to + jacere, to
 lie.]   adjacently adv.



 adjacent angle  n.  Either of two angles having a common side and a common
 vertex.



 adjectival  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or functioning as an adjective.
 adjectivally adv.



 adjective  n.  1.  Grammar. Any of a class of words used to modify a noun
 or other substantive by limiting, qualifying, or specifying. 2.
 Linguistics. Any of a form class distinguished in English morphologically
 by one of several suffixes, as -able, -ous, -er, and -est, or syntactically
 by position in a phrase or sentence, as white in a white house.  3. A
 dependent or subordinate. [ME < OFr. adjectif < Lat. adjectivus < adjicere,
 to add to : ad-, to + jacere, to throw.]   adjectively adv.



 adjective pronoun  n.  Grammar.  A pronoun acting as an adjective, as
 which in which dictionaries? or himself in He himself said so.



 adjoin  v. -joined -joining -joins   -tr. 1. To be next to; be contiguous
 to. 2. To attach to; unite. -intr. To be contiguous. [ME ajoinen < OFr.
 ajoindre < Lat. adjungere, to join to : ad-, to + jungere, to join.]



 adjoining  adj.  Neighboring; contiguous; next to.



 adjourn  v. -journed -journing -journs   -tr. To suspend until a later
 stated time. -intr. 1. To suspend proceedings to another time or place. 2.
 Informal. To move from one place to another: adjourned to the living room.
 [ME ajournen < OFr. ajourner : a, to (< Lat. ad) + jour, day < Lat.
 diurnum.]   adjournment n.



 adjudge  tr.v. -judged -judging -judges   1. To determine or decide by
 judicial procedure; adjudicate. 2. To order judicially; rule. 3. To award
 (damages, for example) by law. 4. To regard, consider, or deem. [ME ajugen
 < OFr. ajuger < Lat. adjudicare. -see adjudicate.]



 adjudicate  tr.v. -cated -cating -cates   To hear and settle (a case) by
 judicial procedure. [Lat. adjudicare, adjudicat-, to award to (judicially)
 : ad-, to + judicare, to judge < judex, judge.]   adjudication n.
 adjudicative adj.   adjudicator n.



 adjunct  n.  1. Something attached to another thing but in a dependent or
 subordinate position. 2. A person associated with another in some duty or
 service in a subordinate or auxiliary capacity. 3. A word or words added in
 order to clarify, qualify, or modify other words. 4.  Logic. A nonessential
 attribute of a thing.   -adj. 1. Added or connected in a subordinate or
 auxiliary capacity: an adjunct clause.  2. Attached to a faculty or staff
 in a temporary or auxiliary capacity. [Lat. adjunctum < adjunctus, p.part.
 of adjungere, to join to. -see adjoin.]   adjunction n.   adjunctive adj.



 adjuration  n.  An earnest or solemn appeal.   adjuratory adj.



 adjure  tr.v. -jured -juring -jures   1. To command or enjoin solemnly, as
 under oath. 2. To appeal to or entreat earnestly. [ME adjuren < Lat.
 adjurare, to swear to : ad-, to + jurare, to swear.]   adjurer  adjuror n.



 adjust  v. -justed -justing -justs   -tr. 1. To change so as to match or
 fit; cause to correspond. 2. To bring into proper relationship. 3. To adapt
 or conform, as to new conditions: unable to adjust themselves to their
 environment.  4. To make accurate by regulation. 5. To decide how much is
 to be paid on (an insurance claim). 6. To correct (the range and direction
 of a gun) in firing. -intr. To adapt oneself; become suited or fit;
 conform. [Obs. Fr. adjuster < OFr. ajoster : Lat. ad, to + Lat. juxta,
 near.]   adjustable adj.   adjustably adv.   adjuster  adjustor n.



 adjustment  n.  1.  a. The act of making fit or conformable. b. The
 condition of being adjusted. 2. A means for adjusting. 3. The settlement of
 a debt or claim. 4. A modification or correction: an adjustment on a bill.




 adjutant  n.  1. A staff officer who helps a commanding officer with
 administrative affairs. 2. An assistant. 3. The marabou. [Lat. adjutans,
 adjutant-, pr.part. of adjutare, freq. of adjuvare, to help : ad-, to +
 juvare, to help.]   adjutancy n.



 adjutant general  n. pl. adjutants general  1. An adjutant of a unit
 having a general staff. 2. An officer in charge of the National Guard of
 one of the states of the United States. 3. Adjutant General. The chief
 administrative officer, a major general, of the U.S. Army.



 adjutant stork  n.  The marabou.



 adjuvant  n.  1. A pharmacological agent added to a drug to increase or
 aid its effect. 2. An immunological agent that increases the antigenic
 response. [Lat. adjuvans, adjuvant-, pr.part. of adjuvare, to help. -see
 aid.]



 Adlerian  adj.  Of or relating to a psychological school holding that
 behavior arises in subconscious efforts to compensate for inferiority or
 deficiency and that neurosis results from overcompensation. [After Alfred
 Adler (1870-1937).]



 ad lib  adv.  In an unrestrained manner; freely; spontaneously. [Short for
 ad libitum.]



 ad-lib  Informal.  v. -libbed -libbing -libs   -tr. To improvise and
 deliver extemporaneously. -intr. To improvise, as a speech; extemporize.
 -n. Words, music, or actions ad-libbed.   -adj. Spoken or performed
 spontaneously.   ad-libber n.



 ad libitum  adj.  Music.  Performed with freedom. Used as a direction.
 [Lat. ad, to + libitum, pleasure.]



 adman  n.  Informal.  A person employed in the advertising business.



 admeasure  tr.v. -ured -uring -ures   To divide and distribute
 proportionally; apportion. [ME amesuren < OFr. amesurer : a, to (< Lat. ad)
 + mesurer, to measure.]   admeasurement n.   admeasurer n.



 Admetus  n.  Greek Mythology.  A king of Thessaly and husband of Alcestis.
 [Lat. < Gk. Admetos.]



 administer  v. -tered -tering -ters   -tr. 1. To have charge of; manage.
 2.  a. To give or apply in a formal way: administer the last rites.  b. To
 apply as a remedy: administer a sedative.  3. To mete out; dispense:
 administer justice.  4. To manage or dispose of (a trust or estate) under a
 will or an official appointment. 5. To impose, offer, or tender (an oath,
 for example). -intr. 1. To manage as an administrator. 2. To minister:
 administering to their every pleasure.  [ME administren < OFr. administrer
 < Lat. administrare : ad, to + ministrare, to manage.]   administrable adj.
   administrant adj. n.



 administrate  tr.v. -trated -trating -trates   To administer.



 administration  n.  1. The management of affairs. 2. The activity of a
 sovereign state in the exercise of its powers or duties. 3. Administration
 The persons collectively who make up the executive branch of a government.
 4. The management of an institution, public or private. 5. The term of
 office of an executive officer or body. 6.  Law. The management and
 disposal of a trust or estate. 7. The dispensing, applying, or tendering of
 something, such as an oath, sacrament, or medicine.   administrative adj.
 administratively adv.



 administrator  n.  1. One who administers, esp. business or public
 affairs; executive. 2. A person appointed to administer an estate.



 admirable  adj.  Deserving admiration; excellent.   admirableness n.
 admirably adv.



 admiral  n.  1. The commander in chief of a navy or fleet. 2. An Admiral
 of the Fleet. 3. In the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian
 Navy: a. An officer of the next-to-the-highest rank. b. A rear admiral. c.
 A vice admiral. 4. The ship carrying an admiral; flagship. 5.  Chiefly
 British. The head of a fishing fleet. 6. Any of various brightly colored
 butterflies of the genera Limenitis and Vanessa.  [ME amiral < OFr. < Ar.
 'amir al-, commander of.]



 Admiral of the Fleet  n.  The highest rank in the U.S. Navy and Royal
 Canadian Navy, equivalent to General of the Army or field marshal.



 admiralty  n. pl. -ties  1.  a. A court exercising jurisdiction over all
 maritime cases. b. Maritime law. 2. Admiralty. The department of the
 British government (Board of Admiralty) having control over naval affairs.



 admiration  n.  1. A feeling of pleasure, wonder, and approval. 2. An
 object of wonder; marvel. 3.  Archaic. Wonder.



 admire  v. -mired -miring -mires   -tr. 1. To regard with pleasure,
 wonder, and approval. 2. To have a high opinion of; esteem or respect. 3.
 Archaic. To marvel or wonder at. -intr. 1. To feel or express admiration.
 2.  Regional. To feel pleasure; be pleased. [Fr. admirer < OFr. amirer <
 Lat. admirari, to wonder at : ad-, at + mirari, to wonder < mirus,
 wonderful.]   admirer n.   admiringly adv.



 admissible  adj.  1. Capable of being accepted; allowable. 2. Worthy of
 admission.   admissibility  admissibleness n.   admissibly adv.



 admission  n.  1.  a. The act of admitting or allowing to enter. b. The
 state of being allowed to enter. 2. The right to enter; access. 3. The
 price required or paid for entering; entrance fee. 4. The act or process of
 acceptance and entry into a position or situation; appointment. 5. A
 confession of crime or wrongdoing. 6. A voluntary acknowledgment that
 something is true. 7. A fact or statement granted or admitted; concession.
 [ME < Lat. admissio < admittere, to admit.]   admissive adj.

      Usage: Admission  has a more general meaning than admittance,  which
 is used only to denote the obtaining of physical access to a place. To gain
 admittance  to a club is to enter its facilities; to gain admission  to a
 club is to become a member. One pays admission  to a theater (i.e., the
 price of entering) in order to be allowed admittance  (physical entry to
 the theater itself).



 admit  v. -mitted -mitting -mits   -tr. 1. To permit to enter. 2. To serve
 as a means of entrance: A ticket that admits the whole group.  3. To permit
 to join or exercise certain rights, functions, or privileges. 4. To have
 room for; accommodate. 5. To afford opportunity for; permit. 6. To
 acknowledge; confess: admit the truth.  7. To grant as true or valid, as
 for the sake of argument; concede. 8. To accept or allow as true or valid.
 -intr. 1. To afford possibility: a problem admitting of no solution.  2. To
 allow entrance; afford access: a door admitting to the hall.  [ME admitten
 < Lat. admittere : ad, to + mittere, to send.]



 admittance  n.  1. The act of admitting or entering. 2. Permission to
 enter; the power or right of entrance. 3.  Electricity. The reciprocal of
 impedance. -See Usage note at admission



 admittedly  adv.  By general admission; confessedly.



 admix  tr.  -intr.v.-mixed -mixing -mixes   To mix or blend.
 [Back-formation < obs. admixt, mixed into < Lat. admixtus, p.part. of
 admiscere, to mix into : ad, to + miscere, to mix.]



 admixture  n.  1.  a. The act of mingling or mixing. b. The state of being
 mingled or mixed. 2. A combination, mixture, or blend. 3. Something added
 in mixing.



 admonish  tr.v. -ished -ishing -ishes   1. To reprove mildly or kindly but
 seriously. 2. To counsel against something; caution. 3. To point out
 something forgotten or disregarded, by means of a warning, reproof, or
 exhortation. [ME admonishen, alteration of amonesten < OFr. amonester <
 VLat. *admonestare, var. of Lat. admonere : ad, to + monere, to warn.]
 admonisher n.   admonishingly adv.   admonishment n.

      Synonyms: admonish reprove rebuke reprimand reproach These
 verbs refer to adverse criticism intended as a corrective. Admonish
 stresses the act of advising or warning so that a fault may be rectified or
 a danger avoided. Reprove  usually implies gentle criticism and
 constructive intent. Rebuke  refers to sharp, usually angry, criticism, as
 does reprimand , which often also implies an official or otherwise formal
 act. Reproach  usually refers to sharp criticism made regretfully or
 unhappily out of a sense of disappointment.




 admonition  n.  1. Mild or kind reproof. 2. Cautionary advice or warning.
 [ME amonicioun < OFr. amonition < Lat. admonitio < admonere, to admonish.]



 admonitory  adj.  Expressing admonition.



 adnate  adj.  Biology.  Joined to or fused with another part or organ, as
 parts not usually united. [Lat. adnatus, var. of agnatus, connected by
 birth < agnasci, to be born in addition to. -see agnate.]   adnation n.



 ad nauseam  adv.  To the point of nausea; to a disgusting or ridiculous
 degree. [Lat.]



 adnexa  n.  Accessory or subordinate anatomical parts, as ovaries and
 oviducts. [NLat. < Lat. adnexus, annexus, p.part. of annectere, to bind to.
 -see ]   adnexal adj.



 adnoun  n.  Grammar.  An adjective, specifically when used as a noun, as
 in the bold and the brave.    adnominal adj.



 ado  n.  Bustle; fuss; trouble; bother. [ME < the phrase at do : at, to +
 do, to do.]



 adobe  n.  1. A sun-dried, unburned brick of clay and straw. 2. Clay or
 soil from which adobe is made. 3. A structure built with adobe. an adobe
 house.  [Sp. < Ar. attoba < al- toba, the brick : al, the + toba, brick.]



 adolescence  n.  1. The period of physical and psychological development
 from the onset of puberty to maturity. 2. A transitional period of
 development between youth and maturity: the adolescence of a nation.



 adolescent  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or undergoing adolescence.   -n. An
 adolescent boy or girl, esp. a teen-ager. [ME < OFr. < Lat. adolescens,
 pr.part. of adolescere, to grow up : ad, toward + alescere, to grow,
 inchoative of alere, to nourish.]



 Adonai  n.  Lord. Used in Judaism as a spoken substitute for the ineffable
 name of God. [Heb. adonai, my lord < Phoenician adon, lord.]



 Adonis  n.  1.  Greek Mythology. A youth loved by Aphrodite for his
 striking beauty. 2. adonis  A young man of great physical beauty. [Gk.
 Adonis < Phoenician adon, lord.]



 adopt  tr.v. adopted adopting adopts   1. To take into one's family
 through legal means and raise as one's own child. 2. To take and follow (a
 course of action, for example) by choice or assent: adopt a new technique.
 3. To take up and make one's own, as an idea. 4. To take on or assume:
 adopted an air of importance.  5. To vote to accept: adopt a resolution.
 6. To choose as a standard or required textbook or reference book in a
 course. [ME adopten < OFr. adopter < Lat. adoptare : ad, to + optare, to
 choose.]   adoptable adj.   adopter n.   adoption n.

      Usage: One refers to an adopted  child but to adoptive  parents.



 adoptee  n.  One that is adopted.



 adoptive  adj.  1.  a. Tending to adopt. b. Characteristic of adoption. 2.
 Related or acquired by adoption. -See Usage note at adopt.   adoptively
 adv.



 adorable  adj.  1.  Informal. Delightful; lovable; charming. 2.  Archaic.
 Worthy of worship or adoration.   adorability  adorableness n.   adorably
 adv.



 adoration  n.  1. The act of worship. 2. Profound love or regard.



 adore  v. adored adoring adores   -tr. 1. To worship as divine. 2. To love
 deeply; revere. 3.  Informal. To like very much. -intr. To worship. [ME
 adouren < OFr. adourer < Lat. adorare, to pray to : ad, to + orare, to
 pray.]   adorer n.   adoringly adv.



 adorn  tr.v. adorned adorning adorns   1. To be a decoration to; lend
 beauty to. 2. To fit out or decorate with or as if with ornaments. 3. To
 enhance the distinction, beauty, splendor, or glory of; add luster to. [ME
 adournen < OFr. adourner < Lat. adornare : ad, to + ornare, to decorate.]
 adorner n.



 adornment  n.  1. The act of adorning. 2. Something that adorns or
 beautifies; ornament.



 ADP  n.  An ester, C10H15N5O10P2, that is an adenosine derivative formed
 in cells and converted to ATP for the storage of energy.



 ad rem  adj.  Law.  To the point; pertinent. [Lat.]   ad rem adv.



 adrenal  adj.  1. At, near, or on the kidneys. 2. Of or pertaining to the
 adrenal glands or their secretions.   -n. An adrenal gland.   adrenally
 adv.



 adrenal cortex  n.  The three-zoned center of the adrenal glands.



 adrenal gland  n.  Either of two small dissimilarly shaped endocrine
 glands, one located above each kidney, consisting of the cortex, which
 secretes hormones, and the medulla, which secretes epinephrine.



 Adrenalin   A trademark for a preparation of adrenaline.



 adrenaline  n.  A secretion of the adrenal glands; epinephrine.



 adrenergic  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or having chemical activity like that
 of epinephrine, as certain nerve fibers. [adren(aline) + Gk. ergon, work.]



 adrenochrome  n.  A naturally occurring chemical formed during the
 oxidation of adrenaline. [adren(aline) + chrome.]



 adrenocorticotropic or adrenocorticotrophic   adj.  Stimulating or
 otherwise acting upon the cortex of the adrenal gland. [adren(al) +
 cortico- + -tropic.]



 adrenocorticotropic hormone or adrenocorticotroph  or adrenocorticotrophin
   n.  ACTH.



 adrift  adv.  -adj. 1. Drifting or floating freely; not anchored. 2.
 Without direction or purpose.



 adroit  adj.  1. Dexterous; deft. 2. Skillful and adept under pressing
 conditions. [Fr. < a droit : a, to (< Lat. ad) + droit, right < Lat.
 directus. -see direct.]   adroitly adv.   adroitness n.



 adscititious  adj.  Not inherent or essential; derived from something
 outside. [< Lat. ascitus, assumed, p.part. of asciscere, to assume : ad, to
 + sciscere, to accept, inchoative of scire, to know.]



 adsorb  tr.v. -sorbed -sorbing -sorbs   To take up by adsorption. [ad- +
 Lat. sorbere, to suck.]



 adsorbate  n.  An adsorbed substance.



 adsorbent  adj.  Capable of adsorption.   -n. An adsorptive material, such
 as activated carbon.



 adsorption  n.  The assimilation of gas, vapor, or dissolved matter by the
 surface of a solid or liquid. [adsorb + -tion.]   adsorptive adj.



 adularia  n.  A variety of orthoclase. [Ital. < Fr. adulaire, after Adula,
 a group of Swiss mountains.]



 adulate  tr.v. -lated -lating -lates   To praise excessively or fawningly.
 [Back-formation < adulation.]   adulator n.   adulatory adj.



 adulation  n.  Excessive praise or flattery. [ME adulacioun < OFr. < Lat.
 adulatio < adulari, to flatter.]



 adult  n.  1. One who has attained maturity or legal age. 2. A fully
 grown, mature organism.   -adj. 1. Fully developed and mature. 2.
 Pertaining to, befitting, or intended for mature persons: adult education.
 3.  a. Restricted to adults: adult movies.  b. Relating to or dealing with
 explicitly sexual or pornographic themes. [Lat. adultus, p.part. of
 adolescere, to grow up. -see adolescent.]   adulthood n.



 adulterant  n.  A substance that adulterates.   -adj. Adulterating.



 adulterate  tr.v. -ated -ating -ates   To make impure, spurious, or
 inferior by adding extraneous or improper ingredients.   -adj.  1.
 Spurious; adulterated. 2. Adulterous. [Lat. adulterare, adulterat-, to
 pollute.]   adulteration n.   adulterator n.



 adulterer  n.  A man who commits adultery.



 adulteress  n.  A woman who commits adultery.



 adulterine  adj.  1. Characterized by adulteration; spurious. 2.
 Unauthorized by law; illegal. 3. Born of adultery: adulterine offspring.
 [Lat. adulterinus < adulter, adulterer < adulterare, to adulterate.]



 adulterous  adj.  Relating to, inclined to, or marked by adultery.
 adulterously adv.



 adultery  n. pl. -ries  Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married
 person and a partner other than the lawful spouse. [ME < OFr. avouterie <
 Lat. adulterium < adulter, adulterer < adulterare, to adulterate.]



 adumbrate  tr.v. -brated -brating -brates   1. To give a sketchy outline
 of. 2. To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow. 3. To disclose partially or
 guardedly. [Lat. adumbrare, adumbrat-, to overshadow : ad, to + umbra,
 shadow.]   adumbration n.   adumbrative adj.   adumbratively adv.



 adust  adj.  1. Burned; scorched. 2. Melancholy; gloomy. [ME < Lat.
 adustus, p.part. of adurere, to set fire to : ad, to + urere, to burn.]



 ad valorem  adj.  In proportion to the value: ad valorem duties on
 imported goods.  [Lat.]



 advance  v. -vanced -vancing -vances   -tr. 1. To move or cause to move
 forward. 2. To put forward; propose; suggest. 3. To aid the growth or
 progress of; further. 4. To raise in rank; promote. 5. To cause to occur
 sooner; hasten. 6. To raise in amount or rate; increase. 7. To pay (money
 or interest) before legally due. 8. To supply or lend, esp. on credit.
 -intr. 1. To go or move forward or onward. 2. To make progress; improve. 3.
 To rise in rank, position, or value. Phrasal verb.  advance on upon . To
 move against, as when attacking.   -n. 1. The act or process of moving or
 going forward. 2. Improvement; progress. 3. A rise or increase of price or
 value. 4. advances  Personal approaches made to secure acquaintance, favor,
 or an agreement; overtures. 5.  a. The furnishing of funds or goods on
 credit. b. The funds or goods so furnished; loan. 6. Payment of money
 before legally or normally due.   -adj. 1. Made or given ahead of time;
 prior. 2. Going before; in front; forward.

       Idiom Section:  in advance. 1. In front. 2. Ahead of time;
 beforehand. [ME avauncen < OFr. avauncer < VLat. *abantiare < Lat. abante,
 from before : ab, from + ante, before.]   advancer n.

      Synonyms: advance progress promote forward further These verbs
 all refer to movement forward or upward, literally or figuratively; they
 vary widely in application, however. Advance  alone is both transitive and
 intransitive. Intransitively it applies to forward movement (literal) and
 to enlargement of scope or importance, rise in status, or the like
 (figurative). Progress , which is only intransitive, also has both these
 senses, and differs principally in stressing the idea of steady and orderly
 movement toward a goal. Transitively, advance  alone applies to forward
 movement with reference to time (advance a deadline, advance money)  and to
 causing to rise in value (advance prices). Advance  and promote  are
 generally interchangeable when they mean to raise a person in rank or
 grade. Advance ,Advance, promote, forward,  and further  all have the
 transitive sense of making something (such as a cause, a career, or a
 business venture) go forward, figuratively, by providing assistance.
 Advance  and forward  are nonspecific in this sense; promote  and further
 stress active support and encouragement. Forward  alone has the transitive
 sense of sending something onward or ahead, especially mail.


      Usage: Advance,  as a noun, is used for forward movement (the advance
 of the army ) or for progress or improvement in a figurative sense.
 Advancement  is used mainly in the figurative sense: career advancement.
 In the figurative sense, moreover, there is a distinction between the two
 terms deriving from the transitive and intransitive forms of the verb
 advance.  The noun advancement  (unlike advance ) often implies the
 existence of an agent or outside force. Thus, the advance of science  means
 simply the progress of science, whereas the advancement of science  implies
 progress resulting from the action of an agent or force: The purpose of the
 legislation was the advancement of science.



 advanced  adj.  1. Highly developed or complex. 2. At a higher level than
 others. 3. Ahead of the times; progressive. 4.  a. Far along in course: an
 advanced stage of illness.  b. Very old: a man of advanced age.



 advanced degree  n.  A university degree higher than a bachelor's.



 advanced standing  n.  The status of a college student granted credit,
 usually after passing a qualifying test, for courses omitted or taken
 elsewhere.



 advance guard  n.  A detachment of troops sent ahead of the main force to
 reconnoiter and provide protection.



 advance man  n.  1. An agent, as for a performing troupe, who makes
 business and publicity arrangements in advance. 2. An assistant, as to a
 political candidate, who makes publicity arrangements and security checks
 in advance.



 advancement  n.  1. The act of advancing. 2. A forward step; improvement.
 3. Development; progress: the advancement of knowledge.  4. A promotion, as
 in rank. -See Usage note at advance.



 advantage  n.  1. A factor favorable or conducive to success. 2. Benefit
 or profit; gain. 3. A relatively favorable position; superiority of means.
 4.  a. The first point scored in tennis after deuce. b. The resulting
 score.   -tr.v. -taged -taging -tages  To afford profit or gain to;
 benefit.

       Idiom Section:  take advantage of. 1. To put to good use; avail
 oneself of. 2. To profit selfishly by; exploit. to advantage. . To good
 effect; profitably; favorably. [ME avauntage < OFr. < avant, before < Lat.
 abante, from before. -see advance.]



 advantageous  adj.  Affording benefit or gain; useful.   advantageously
 adv.   advantageousness n.



 advect  tr.v. -vected -vecting -vects   1. To convey horizontally by
 advection. 2. To transport (a substance) by advection. [Back-formation <
 advection.]



 advection  n.  A local change in a property of a system, as of atmospheric
 temperature, caused by motion of the fluid in a gradient of the property.
 [Lat. advectio, conveyance < advehere, to carry to : ad, to + vehere, to
 carry.]



 advent  n.  1. The coming or arrival, esp. of something momentous: the
 advent of the computer.  2. Advent   a. The birth or coming of Christ. b.
 The period including four Sundays before Christmas. [ME, the Advent season
 < OFr. < Lat. adventus, arrival < advenire, to come to : ad, to + venire,
 to come.]



 Adventist  n.  A member of any of several Christian denominations that
 believe Christ's second coming and the end of the world are near at hand.
 Adventism n.



 adventitia  n.  The outermost covering of an organ, as a blood vessel.
 [NLat. < Lat. adventicius, foreign. -see adventitious.]



 adventitious  adj.  1. Acquired by accident; added by chance. 2.  Biology.
 Appearing in an unusual place or in an irregular or sporadic manner:
 adventitious shoots.  [Lat. adventicious, foreign < adventus, arrival. -see
 advent.]   adventitiously adv.   adventitiousness n.



 adventive  Biology.  adj.  Not native to and not fully established in a
 new habitat or environment; locally or temporarily naturalized: an
 adventive weed.    -n. An adventive organism. [< Lat. adventus, arrival.
 -see advent.]   adventively adv.



 Advent Sunday  n.  The first Sunday of Advent.



 adventure  n.  1. An undertaking or enterprise of a hazardous nature. 2.
 An unusual experience or course of events marked by excitement and
 suspense. 3. Participation in hazardous or exciting experiences. 4. A
 financial speculation or business venture.   -v.-tured -turing -tures
 -tr. To venture; risk; dare. -intr. To take risks; engage in hazardous
 activities. [ME aventure < OFr. < Lat. adventurus, fut. part. of advenire,
 to arrive. -see advent.]   adventuresome adj.



 adventurer  n.  1. One who adventures. 2. A soldier of fortune. 3. A heavy
 speculator in business or trade. 4. One who seeks wealth and social
 position by unscrupulous means.



 adventuress  n.  A woman who seeks social and financial advancement by
 unscrupulous means.



 adventurous  adj.  1. Inclined to undertake new and daring enterprises;
 bold. 2. Hazardous; risky.   adventurously adv.   adventurousness n.



 adverb  n.  Grammar.  1. A part of speech comprising a class of words that
 modify a verb, adjective, or other adverb. 2. A word belonging to this
 class, as rapidly in He runs rapidly.  [ME adverbe < OFr. < Lat. adverbium
 : ad, to + verbum, word.]



 adverbial  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or used as an adverb.   adverbially
 adv.



 ad verbum  adv.  Word for word; verbatim. [Lat.]



 adversary  n. pl. -ies  An opponent; enemy. [ME adversarie < Lat.
 adversarius, enemy < adversus, against. -see adverse.]



 adversative  adj.  Expressing antithesis or opposition: the adversative
 conjunction but.    -n. An adversative word. [Lat. adversativus <
 adversari, to oppose < adversus, against. -see adverse.]   adversatively
 adv.



 adverse  adj.  1. Antagonistic in design or effect; opposed: adverse
 criticism.  2. Contrary to one's interests or welfare; unpropitious:
 adverse circumstances.  3. In an opposite or opposing direction or
 position. 4.  Botany. Facing the axis or main stem. -See Usage note at
 averse. [ME < OFr. advers < Lat. adversus, p.part. of advertere, to turn
 toward : ad-, toward + vertere, to turn.]   adversely adv.   adverseness n.




 adversity  n. pl. -ties  1. A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune.
 2. A calamitous event.



 advert
 advert(1)  intr.v. -verted -verting -verts   To call attention; refer:
 advert to a problem.  [ME adverten < OFr. avertir, to notice < Lat.
 advertere, to turn toward. -see adverse.]
 advert(2)   n.  Chiefly British.  An advertisement.



 advertise  v. -tised -tising -tises   -tr. 1. To make public announcement
 of, esp. to proclaim the qualities or advantages of (a product or business)
 so as to increase sales. 2. To make known; call attention to: advertised
 her disappointment.  3.  Archaic. To warn or notify:  This event advertises
 me that there is such a fact as death (Thoreau). -intr. 1. To call the
 attention of the public to a product or business. 2. To inquire or seek in
 a public notice, as in a newspaper: advertise for an apartment.  [ME
 advertisen, to notify < OFr. avertir, avertiss-, to notice. -see advert.]
 advertiser n.



 advertisement  n.  A notice designed to attract public attention or
 patronage.



 advertising  n.  1. The action of attracting public attention to a product
 or business. 2. The business of preparing and distributing advertisements.
 3. Printed or spoken advertisements collectively.



 advice  n.  1. Opinion about what could or should be done about a problem;
 counsel. 2. advices  Information or report, esp. when communicated from a
 distance: advices from an ambassador.  [ME avis < OFr., view < Med. Lat.
 advisus : Lat. ad-, to + visum, something seen < videre, to see.]



 advisable  adj.  Worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent.
 advisability  advisableness n.   advisably adv.



 advise  v. -vised -vising -vises   -tr. 1. To offer advice to; counsel. 2.
 To recommend; suggest. 3. To inform; notify: advise a person of a decision.
  -intr. 1. To consult; take counsel: advised with her associates.  2. To
 offer advice. [ME avisen < OFr. aviser < avis, view. -see advice.]

      Usage: Advise  in the sense of "to inform" or "to notify" is
 acceptable to a majority of the Usage Panel, though many members would
 restrict this usage to business correspondence.



 advised  adj.  1. Considered; thought out: well-advised; ill-advised.  2.
 Informed: be kept advised.



 advisedly  adv.  With careful consideration; deliberately.



 advisee  n.  One that is advised.



 advisement  n.  Careful consideration.



 adviser or advisor   n.  1. One who advises. 2. A person who offers
 advice, esp. in an official or professional capacity. 3. A teacher who
 advises students in academic and personal matters.



 advisory  adj.  1. Empowered to advise: a student advisory committee.  2.
 Of, pertaining to, or containing advice: an advisory memorandum.    -n.pl.
 -ries  A report giving information and esp. a warning: a weather advisory.




 advocacy  n.  Active support, as of a cause, idea, or policy.



 advocate  tr.v. -cated -cating -cates   To speak in favor of; recommend.
 -n.  1. A person who argues for a cause; supporter or defender. 2. A person
 who pleads in another's behalf; intercessor. [< ME advocat, lawyer < OFr.
 avocat < Lat. advocatus, p.part. of advocare, to summon for counsel : ad-,
 to + vocare, to call.]   advocator n.



 advowson  n.  In English ecclesiastical law, the right to present a vacant
 benefice. [ME avouson < OFr. avoeson < Med. Lat. advocatia < Lat.
 advocatio, a summoning < advocare, to summon. -see advocate.]



 adytum  n. pl. -ta  The sanctum in an ancient temple. [Lat. < Gk. aduton <
 adutos, not to be entered : a-, not + duein, to enter.]



 adz or adze   n.  An axlike tool with a curved blade at right angles to
 the handle, used for dressing wood. [ME adese < OE adesa.]



 adzuki bean  n.  A plant, Phaseolus angularis, having yellow flowers and
 pods bearing edible seeds, widely cultivated as a food crop in the Orient.
 [J. azuki, red bean.]



 aeciospore  n.  A rust spore, formed in a chainlike series in an aecium.
 [aeci(um) + spore.]



 aecium  n. pl. -cia  A cuplike structure in rust fungi containing chains
 of aeciospores. [NLat. < Gk. aikia, injury < aeikes, injurious.]   aecial
 adj.



 aedes  n. pl. aedes  A mosquito of the genus Aedes, such as A. aegypti,
 that transmits yellow fever and dengue. [NLat. Aedes, genus name < Gk.
 aedes, unpleasant : a-, not + edos, pleasant.]



 aedile  n.  In ancient Rome, a magistrate who had charge of public works,
 police, and the grain supply. [Lat. aedilis < aedes, house.]



 Aegean  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or designating the prehistoric
 civilization that flourished in the Aegean area in the Bronze Age.



 Aegeus  n.  Greek Mythology.  A king of Athens and the father of Theseus.
 [Lat. < Gk. Aigeus.]



 Aegir  n.  The god of the sea in Norse mythology. [ON.]



 aegis  n.  1.  Greek Mythology. The shield of Zeus, lent by him to Athena.
 2. Protection. 3. Sponsorship; patronage. [Lat. < Gk. aigis.]



 Aegisthus  n.  Greek Mythology.  The son of Thyestes and lover of
 Clytemnestra. [Lat. < Gk. Aigisthos.]



 -aemia   Variant of -emia.



 Aeneas  n.  The Trojan hero of Virgil's Aeneid, son of Anchises and
 Aphrodite, who escaped the sack of Troy and wandered for seven years before
 settling in Italy. [Lat. < Gk. Aineias.]



 aeneous or aeneus   adj.  Having a brassy or golden-green color. [Lat.
 aeneus, of bronze < aes, bronze.]



 Aeolian  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to Aeolis or its people. 2. Of or
 pertaining to Aeolus, god of the winds. 3. aeolian. Variant of eolian.
 -n. 1. A member of one of the major Greek tribes that settled in central
 Greece, Lesbos, and Aeolis. 2. Aeolic.



 Aeolian harp  n.  A musical instrument consisting of an open box over
 which are stretched strings that sound when wind passes over them.



 Aeolic  n.  A group of dialects of ancient Greek spoken by the Aeolians.



 aeolipile  n.  An ancient prototypal steam engine consisting of a
 spherical or cylindrical vessel fitted with circumferential exhaust jets
 and mounted to permit free rotation about the steam inlet axis. [< Lat.
 Aeoli pylae, gates of Aeolus : Aeolus, Aeolus + pylae, gates < Gk. pule,
 gate.]



 Aeolus  n.  Greek Mythology.  1. The god of the winds. 2. A king of
 Thessaly and ancestor of the Aeolians. [Lat. < Gk. Aiolos < aiolos,
 nimble.]



 aeon  n.  Variant of eon.



 aeonian  adj.  Variant of eonian.



 aepyornis  n.  Any of an extinct genus of large, flightless birds of
 Madagascar. [NLat. Aepyornis, genus name : Gk. aipys, high + Gk. ornis,
 bird.]



 aequorin  n.  A protein that is secreted by jellyfish and interacts with
 seawater to produce bioluminescent light. [NLat. Aequorea, jellyfish genus
 + -in.]



 aer-   Variant of aero-.



 aerate  tr.v. -ated -ating -ates   1. To supply or charge (liquid) with a
 gas, esp. to charge with carbon dioxide. 2. To expose to the circulation of
 air for purification. 3. To supply (blood) with oxygen.



 aerator  n.  1. One that aerates. 2. A device for aerating liquids.



 aerial  adj.  1. Of, in, or caused by the air. 2. Living in the air. 3.
 Reaching high into the air; lofty. 4. Suggestive of air, as in lightness;
 airy. 5. Unsubstantial; imaginary. 6. Of, for, or by aircraft. 7.  Botany.
 Borne in the air rather than underground or under water: aerial roots.
 -n.  An antenna. [< Lat. aerius < Gk. aerios < aer, air.]



 aerialist  n.  An acrobat who performs on a tightrope, trapeze, or similar
 apparatus.



 aerial ladder  n.  A ladder that can be extended to reach high places,
 esp. one mounted on a fire engine.



 aerie or aery   n. pl. -ies  1. The nest of an eagle or other predatory
 bird built on a crag or other high place. 2. A house or stronghold built on
 a height. [Med. Lat. aeria < OFr. aire.]



 aero- or aer-    1.  a. Air; atmosphere: aeroballistics.  b. Gas: aerosol.
  2. Aviation: aeronautics.  [ME < OFr. < Lat. < Gk. < aer, air.]



 aeroballistics  n.(usedwithasing.verb).  Ballistics, esp. of missiles, in
 the atmosphere.   aeroballistic adj.



 aerobatics  n.  The performance of stunts, such as rolls and loops, with
 an airplane or glider. [aero- + (acro)batics.]



 aerobe  n.  An organism, such as a bacterium, requiring molecular oxygen
 or air to live. [Fr. aerobie : Gk. aer, air + Gk. bios, life.]



 aerobic  adj.  1. Living or occurring only in the presence of oxygen. 2.
 Of or relating to aerobics. 3. Of or relating to aerobes.



 aerobics  n.  A system of physical conditioning that involves vigorous
 exercise, as calisthenics, combined with dance routines. [< aerobic.]



 aerobiology  n.  The branch of biology dealing with the atmospheric
 dispersion of materials of biologic significance, as pollen or
 microorganisms.   aerobiological adj.   aerobiologically adv.



 aerobium  n.  An aerobe. [NLat. < aerobe.]



 aerodrome  n.  Chiefly British.  Variant of airdrome.



 aerodynamics  n.  The dynamics of gases, esp. of atmospheric interactions
 with moving objects.   aerodynamic adj.



 aerodyne  n.  A heavier-than-air aircraft deriving lift from motion.
 [aero- + Gk. dunamis, power < dunasthai, to be able.]



 aeroembolism  n.  1. The presence of air bubbles in the heart or blood
 vessels, often resulting from a wound in one of the large veins of the
 neck. 2. Caisson disease.



 aerofoil  n.  Chiefly British.  Variant of airfoil.



 aerogram or aerogramme   n.  An air-mail letter written on a standard
 lightweight form that folds into the shape of an envelope and can be sent
 at a low postage rate.



 aerolite or aerolith   n.  A chiefly silicious meteorite.   aerolitic adj.




 aerology  n.  Total atmospheric meteorology as opposed to surface-based
 study.   aerologic aerological  adj.   aerologist n.



 aeromagnetics  n.  The science of magnetic characteristics associated with
 atmospheric conditions.   aeromagnetic adj.   aeromagnetically adv.



 aeromechanics  n.  The science of the motion and equilibrium of air and
 other gases, comprising aerodynamics and aerostatics.   aeromechanical adj.
   aeromechanically adv.



 aeromedicine  n.  The medical study and treatment of disturbances,
 disorders, and diseases resulting from or associated with atmospheric
 flight.   aeromedical adj.



 aerometeorograph  n.  An aircraft instrument for simultaneously recording
 temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity.



 aerometer  n.  A device for determining the weight and density of air or
 other gas.



 aeronaut  n.  A pilot or navigator of a balloon or lighter-than-air craft.
 [aero- + Gk. nautes, sailor.]



 aeronautic or aeronautical   adj.  Of or pertaining to aeronautics.
 aeronautically adv.



 aeronautics  n.  1. The design and construction of aircraft. 2. The theory
 and practice of aircraft navigation.



 aeroneurosis  n.  A nervous exhaustion from prolonged piloting of
 aircraft.



 aeronomy  n.  The study of the upper atmosphere, esp. of regions of
 ionized gas.



 aeropause  n.  The region of the atmosphere above which aircraft cannot
 fly.



 aerophagia  n.  The abnormal, spasmodic swallowing of air, esp. as a
 symptom of hysteria.



 aerophobia  n.  The abnormal fear of air, esp. drafts.



 aerophore  n.  A device to supply air to a nonbreathing infant, or to a
 person in an anaerobic environment, such as a closed mine or an underwater
 area.



 aerophyte  n.  Botany.  An epiphyte.



 aeroplane  n.  Chiefly British.  Variant of airplane.



 aeroshell  n.  A protective, all-covering shell for a spacecraft entering
 an atmosphere from space at high speeds.



 aerosol  n.  1. A gaseous suspension of fine solid or liquid particles. 2.
  a. A substance, such as a detergent, insecticide, or paint, packaged under
 pressure with a gaseous propellant for release as an aerosol. b. An aerosol
 bomb. [aero- + sol(ution).]



 aerosol bomb  n.  A usually hand-held container or dispenser from which an
 aerosol is released.



 aerospace  adj.  1. Of or designating the earth's atmosphere and the space
 beyond. 2. Of or pertaining to the science or technology of flight.
 aerospace n.



 aerosphere  n.  The lower portion of the atmosphere in which both unmanned
 and manned flight is possible.



 aerostat  n.  An aircraft, esp. a balloon or dirigible, deriving its lift
 from the buoyancy of surrounding air rather than from aerodynamic motion.
 [Fr. aerostat : Gk. aer, air + Gk. statos, standing.]   aerostatic
 aerostatical adj.



 aerostatics  n.  The science of gases in equilibrium and of the
 equilibrium of balloons or aircraft under changing atmospheric flight
 conditions.



 aerothermodynamics  n.  The study of the thermodynamics of gases, esp. at
 high relative velocities.



 aery
 aery(1)  adj. -ier -iest   Ethereal.
 aery(2)   n.  Variant of aerie.



 Aesculapian  adj.  Of or pertaining to the healing art; medical. [After
 Aesculapius.]



 Aesculapius  n.  Roman Mythology.  The god of medicine and healing. [Lat.
 < Gk. Asklepios.]



 Aesir  pl.n.  The gods of Norse mythology. [ON, pl. of ass, god.]



 Aesopian or Aesopic   adj.  1. In the manner of Aesop's animal fables. 2.
 Veiled in allegorical suggestions, hints, and euphemisms so as to elude
 political censorship:  they could express their views only in a diluted
 form, resorting to Aesopian hints and allusions (Isaac Deutscher).



 aesthesia or esthesia   n.  The ability to feel or perceive.
 [Back-formation < anesthesia.]



 aesthete or esthete   n.  1. One who cultivates a superior appreciation of
 the beautiful. 2. A person whose pursuit and admiration of beauty is
 thought to be excessive or affected. [Back-formation < aesthetic.]



 aesthetic or esthetic   adj.  1. Of or pertaining to the criticism of
 taste. 2.  a. Of or pertaining to the sense of the beautiful: the aesthetic
 faculties.  b. Artistic: an aesthetic success.  3.  a. Having a love of
 beauty. b.  Informal. In accordance with accepted notions of good taste.
 [G. asthetisch < NLat. aestheticus < Gk. aisthetikos, of sense perception <
 aistheta, perceptible things < aisthenasthai, to perceive.]   aesthetically
 adv.



 aesthetician or esthetician   n.  A critic concerned with the theory of
 beauty and the fine arts.



 aestheticism or estheticism   n.  1. The pursuit of the beautiful; the
 cult of beauty and good taste. 2.  a. The belief that beauty is the basic
 principle from which all other principles are derived. b. A doctrine
 whereby art and artists are held to have no obligation or responsibility
 other than that of striving for beauty.



 aesthetics or esthetics   n.  1. The branch of philosophy that provides a
 theory of the beautiful and of the fine arts. 2. The theories and
 descriptions of the psychological response to beauty and artistic
 experiences. 3. In the philosophy of Kant, the branch of metaphysics
 concerned with the laws of perception.



 aestival  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or appearing in summer. [ME estival <
 OFr. < Lat. aestivalis < aestivus < aestas, summer.]



 aestivate  intr.v. -vated -vating -vates   1.  Zoology. To pass the
 summer, esp. in a state of dormancy. 2. To spend the summer. [Lat.
 aestivare < aestivus, summery. -see aestival.]



 aestivation  n.  1. The act of spending or passing the summer. 2.
 Zoology. A state of dormancy or torpor during the summer or periods of
 drought. 3.  Botany. The arrangement of petals, sepals, and other floral
 organs in the unopened bud.



 Aether  n.  Gk. Myth. The poetic personification of the clear upper air
 breathed by the Olympians. [Lat. < Gk. aither, upper air.]



 aetiology  n.  Variant of etiology.



 af-   Variant of ad-. Used before f.



 afar  adv.  1. From a distance: coming from afar.  2. At or to a distance;
 far away: saw it afar off.  [ME afer < on fer, far and of fer, from afar <
 OE feor, far.]



 afeard or afeared   adj.  Regional.  Archaic.  Afraid; frightened. [ME
 afered < OE afaered, p.part. of afaeran, to frighten : a- (intensive) +
 faeran, to frighten < faer, fear.]



 afebrile  adj.  Having no fever.



 affable  adj.  1. Easy to speak to; amiable. 2. Mild; gentle; benign.
 [OFr. < Lat. affabilis < affari, to speak to : ad-, to + fari, to speak.]
 affability n.   affably adv.



 affair  n.  1. Something done or to be done; business. 2. affairs
 Transactions and other business matters: a man of affairs.  3.  a. An
 occurrence, event, or matter. b. An object or contrivance: a first car that
 was a ramshackle affair.  c. affairs  Personal effects. 4. A private
 matter; personal concern. 5. A matter causing scandal and controversy: the
 Dreyfus affair.  6. A love affair, esp. a brief one; liaison. [ME afere <
 OFr. afaire < a faire, to do.]



 affect
 affect(1)  tr.v. -fected -fecting -fects   1. To have an influence on;
 bring about a change in. 2. To touch or move the emotions of. 3. To attack
 or infect, as a disease.   -n.  1.  Psychology.  a. A feeling or emotion as
 distinguished from cognition, thought, or action. b. A strong feeling
 having active consequences. 2.  Obsolete. A disposition, feeling, or
 tendency. [Lat. afficere, affect- : ad-, to + facere, to do.]   affectless
 adj.

      Synonyms: affect influence impress touch move
 strike These verbs can all mean to produce a mental or emotional effect. To
 affect  is to change a person's emotions in some usually specified way.
 Influence  implies a degree of control over the thinking and actions, as
 well as the emotions, of another. To impress  is to produce a marked,
 usually favorable, effect on the mind. Touch  usually means to arouse a
 brief sense of pathos, whereas move  suggests profound emotional effect
 capable of inciting action. Strike  implies instantaneous mental response
 to a stimulus such as a sight or an idea.


      Usage: Affect1  and effect  have no senses in common. As a verb,
 affect1  is most commonly used in the sense of "to influence" (how smoking
 affects health ). Effect  means "to bring about or execute": layoffs
 designed to effect savings.
 affect(2)  tr.v. -fected -fecting -fects   1. To simulate or imitate in
 order to make some desired impression; assume; feign. 2.  a. To display a
 preference for. b.  Archaic. To fancy; love. c. To tend to by nature; tend
 to assume: affect crystalline form.  3. To imitate; copy:  Spenser, in
 affecting the ancients, writ no language (Jonson). [ME affecten < Lat.
 affectare, to strive after, freq. of afficere, to affect, influence.]
 affecter n.



 affectation  n.  1. A show, pretense, or display. 2. An artificial
 behavior or mannerism adopted to impress others; affectedness. [Lat.
 affectatio < affectare,  to strive after. -see affect2.]

      Synonyms: affectation pose air  (and airs) mannerism These
 nouns refer largely to personal attributes acquired as adornments to human
 character. An affectation  is a little habit of speech or dress that the
 wearer has borrowed from his ideal, hoping to pass it off as genuinely his
 own. Pose  denotes an attitude adopted with the aim of calling favorable
 attention to oneself. Air , meaning a distinctive but intangible quality,
 does not usually imply sham: air of authority; air of a professor.  In the
 plural, however, it suggests affectation and snobbishness: put on airs.
 Mannerism  denotes a peculiar trait or quirk that others find obtrusive and
 distracting.




 affected
 affected(1)  adj.  1. Acted upon, influenced, or changed. 2. Emotionally
 stirred or moved. 3. Infected or attacked, as by disease.
 affected(2)  adj.  1. Assumed or simulated to impress others. 2. Speaking
 or behaving in an artificial way to make a particular impression. 3.
 Disposed or inclined.   affectedly adv.   affectedness n.



 affecting
 affecting(1)  adj.  Evoking a usually strong emotional response; moving: an
 affecting spectacle.    affectingly adv.
 affecting(2)  adj.  Obsolete.  1. Displaying love. 2. Feigning or
 pretending:  I never heard such a drawling, affecting rogue (Shakespeare).




 affection  n.  1. A fond or tender feeling toward another. 2. affections
 Feeling or emotion: an unbalanced state of affections.  3. Any pathological
 condition of the mind or body. 4. The act of influencing, affecting, or
 acting upon. 5. The state of being influenced or acted upon. 6. An
 attribute. 7. Mental disposition or tendency. [ME affeccioun < OFr.
 affection < Lat. affectio < afficere, to affect, influence.]   affectional
 adj.   affectionally adv.



 affectionate  adj.  1. Having or showing fond feelings or affection;
 loving; tender. 2.  Obsolete. Strongly or favorably disposed.
 affectionately adv.   affectionateness n.



 affective  adj.  1.  Psychology. Pertaining to or resulting from emotions
 or feelings rather than from thought. 2. Pertaining to or arousing
 affection or emotion; emotional.



 affenpinscher  n.  Any of a breed of small dogs of European origin, having
 dark, wiry, shaggy hair and a tufted muzzle. [G. Affe, monkey + Pinscher,
 terrier.]



 afferent  adj.  Directed toward a central organ or section, as nerves that
 conduct impulses from the periphery of the body inward to the spinal cord.
 [Lat. afferens, afferent-, pr.part. of afferre, to bring toward : ad-,
 toward + ferre, to bring.]



 affiance  tr.v. -anced -ancing -ances   To bind in a pledge of marriage;
 betroth. [OFr. afiancer < affier, to trust to < Med. Lat. affidare : Lat.
 ad-, to + Lat. fidus, faithful.]



 affiant  n.  Law.  One who makes an affidavit. [OFr. pr.part. of affier,
 to trust to. -see affiance.]



 affidavit  n.  Law.  A written declaration made under oath before a notary
 public or other authorized officer. [Med. Lat. affidavit, he has pledged <
 affidare, to pledge. -see affiance.]



 affiliate  v. -ated -ating -ates   -tr. 1. To adopt or accept as a
 subordinate associate. 2. To associate (oneself) as a subordinate,
 subsidiary, or member with. 3. To admit as one's own child; adopt. 4.  Law.
  a. To determine the paternity of (an illegitimate child). b. To refer an
 illegitimate child to (its father). -intr. To associate or connect oneself:
 a group that decided to affiliate.    -n. A person or organization
 associated with another in subordinate relationship. [Med. Lat. affiliare,
 affiliat-, to adopt : ad-, to + filius, son.]   affiliation n.



 affine  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to a mathematical transformation of
 coordinates that is equivalent to a translation, contraction, or expansion
 with respect to a fixed origin and fixed coordinate system. 2. Of or
 pertaining to the geometry of affine transformations. [OFr. affin, closely
 related. -see affined.]



 affined  adj.  Archaic.  1. Joined by kinship or affinity. 2. Beholden;
 bound. [Fr. affine < OFr. affin, closely related < Lat. affinis, related by
 marriage : ad-, to + finis, boundary.]



 affinity  n. pl. -ties  1. A natural personal attraction. 2. Relationship
 by marriage. 3. An inherent similarity between things. 4. A relationship or
 resemblance between biological species that implies a common origin. 5. A
 chemical attraction or force that causes the atoms of certain elements to
 combine with atoms of another element and remain in the combined state. [ME
 affinite < OFr. afinite < Lat. affinitas < affinis, related by marriage.
 -see affined.]

      Usage: Affinity  may be followed by of, between,  or with.  Thus,
 affinity of  persons, between  two persons, or with  another person. In
 technical writing, affinity  (meaning "a chemical or physical attraction")
 is followed by for: a dye with an affinity for synthetic fabrics.  In
 general usage affinity  retains some sense of a mutual relationship, and
 therefore its use with for  is less widely accepted. A majority of the
 Usage Panel accept this example: Even in school he showed an affinity for
 politics.  But a large majority reject this example: Her affinity for
 living in California led her to reject a chance to return to New York.



 affirm  v. -firmed -firming -firms   -tr. 1. To declare positively or
 firmly; maintain to be true. 2. To ratify or confirm. -intr. Law.  To
 declare solemnly and formally but not under oath. [ME affermen < OFr.
 afermer < Lat. affirmare : ad-, to + firmare, to strengthen < firmus,
 strong.]   affirmable adj.   affirmably adv.   affirmant adj. n.
 affirmation n.   affirmer n.



 affirmative  adj.  1. Affirming or asserting that something is true or
 factual. 2.  Logic. Denoting a proposition in which the predicate states
 something about the subject to be true, as apples have seeds.    -n. 1. An
 affirmative word or phrase. 2. The side in a debate that upholds a
 proposition.   affirmatively adv.

      Usage: The expressions in the affirmative  and in the negative,  as in
 she answered in the affirmative,  are generally regarded as pompous. She
 answered yes  would be more acceptable even at the most formal levels of
 style.



 affirmative action  n.  Action taken to provide equal opportunity, as in
 admissions or employment, for minority groups and women.



 affix  tr.v. -fixed -fixing -fixes   1. To secure (an object) to another;
 attach: affix a label to a package.  2. To impute; attribute: affix blame
 to him.  3. To place at the end; append: affix a postscript.    -n.  1.
 Something that is attached, joined, or added. 2. A word element, such as a
 prefix or suffix, that can only occur attached to a base, stem, or root.
 [Med. Lat. affiare, freq. of Lat. affigere : ad-, to + figere, to fasten.]
  affixable adj.   affixer n.



 afflatus  n.  A creative impulse; inspiration. [Lat., p.part. of afflare,
 to breathe on : ad-, toward + flare, to blow.]



 afflict  tr.v. -flicted -flicting -flicts   To inflict physical or mental
 suffering upon; cause grievous distress to:  The second pain which will
 afflict the souls of the damned in hell is the pain of conscience (Joyce).
 [ME afflighten < Lat. affligere, to cast down : ad-, to + fligere, to
 strike.]   afflicter n.   afflictive adj.   afflictively adv.



 affliction  n.  1. A condition of pain, suffering, or distress. 2. A cause
 of pain, suffering, or distress.



 affluence  n.  1. A plentiful supply of material goods; wealth; riches. 2.
 A plentiful supply; abundance. 3. A flowing toward.



 affluency  n.  Affluence.



 affluent  adj.  1. Rich; wealthy: an affluent society.  2. Copious;
 abundant. 3. Flowing freely.   -n. A stream or river that flows into
 another or other body of water; tributary. [ME, abundant < OFr. < Lat.
 affluens, pr.part. of affluere, to abound in : ad-, to + fluere, to flow.]
  affluently adv.



 afflux  n.  A flowing to or toward a particular area: an afflux of blood
 to the head.  [Lat. affluxus, p.part. of affluere, to flow to. -see
 affluent.]



 afford  tr.v. -forded -fording -fords   1. To have the financial means
 for; be able to meet the expense of. 2. To be able to spare or give up:
 could afford an hour for lunch.  3. To be able to do or perform (something)
 without incurring harm or criticism, or with benefit to oneself: can afford
 to be tolerant.  4. To provide: a sport affording good exercise.  [ME
 aforthen < OE geforoian, to carry out < foroian, to further < foro,
 forward.]   affordable adj.



 afforest  tr.v. -ested -esting -ests   To convert (open land) into forest.
 [Med. Lat. afforestare : ad-, to + forestare < foresta, forest.]
 afforestation n.



 affranchise  tr.v. -chised -chising -chises   To free from servitude;
 liberate from obligation or liabilities. [ME < OFr. afranchir, afranchiss-
 : a-, to (< Lat. ad-) + franchir, to free < franc, free. -see frank.]



 affray  n.  A noisy quarrel or brawl.   -tr.v.-frayed -fraying -frays
 Archaic.  To frighten. [ME < OFr. esfrei < esfreer, to disturb.]



 affricate  n.  A speech sound produced when the breath stream is
 completely stopped and then released at articulation, the t plus sh sound
 in clutch or the j sound in judge.  [Lat. affricare, affricat-, to rub
 against : ad-, to + fricare, to rub.]



 affricative  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or forming an affricate.   -n. An
 affricate.



 affright  Archaic.  tr.v. -frighted -frighting -frights   To arouse fear
 in; terrify.   -n. 1. Terror. 2. A cause of terror. 3. The act of
 frightening. [ME afrighten < OE afyrhtan.]   affrightment n.



 affront  tr.v. -fronted -fronting -fronts   1. To insult intentionally,
 esp. openly. 2. To meet face to face defiantly; confront.   -n. 1. An open
 or intentional offense, slight, or insult. 2.  Obsolete. An encounter or
 meeting. [ME afrounten < OFr. afronter : Lat. ad-, to + Lat. frons, face.]



 affusion  n.  A pouring on of liquid, as in baptism. [LLat. adfusio, <
 affundere, to pour on : ad-, to + fundere, to pour.]



 Afghan  n.  1. A native of Afghanistan. 2. Pashto. 3. afghan  A coverlet
 of wool, knitted or crocheted in colorful geometric designs. 4. An Afghan
 hound.   -adj. Of or pertaining to Afghanistan, its people, or their
 language. [Pashto afghani.]



 Afghan hound  n.  A large, slender dog of an ancient breed, having long,
 thick hair, a pointed muzzle, and drooping ears.



 afghani  n.  See table at currency. [Pashto.]



 aficionado  n. pl. -dos  An enthusiastic admirer or follower; devotee;
 fan. [Sp. < p.part. of aficionar, to induce a liking for < aficion, liking
 < Lat. affectio, affection.]



 afield  adv.  1. Off the usual or desired track. 2. Away from one's home
 or usual environment. 3. To or on a field.



 afire  adj.  -adv. 1. On fire; burning. 2. Intensely interested and
 involved.



 aflame  adj.  -adv. 1. On fire; flaming. 2. Keenly excited and interested.




 afloat  adj.  -adv. 1. Floating. 2. On a boat or ship away from the shore;
 at sea. 3. In circulation; prevailing. 4. Awash; flooded. 5. Drifting
 about; moving without guidance. 6. Free or out of difficulty, esp.
 financial difficulty: couldn't keep the business afloat.



 aflutter  adj.  In a flutter; nervous and excited.



 afoot  adj.  -adv. 1. Walking; on foot. 2. In the process of being carried
 out; astir.



 afore  adv.prep.  -conj. Archaic.  Before. [ME < OE onforan : on, at +
 for, fore.]



 aforementioned  adj.  Mentioned previously or before.



 aforesaid  adj.  Spoken of earlier.



 aforethought  adj.  Planned or intended beforehand; premeditated: malice
 aforethought.



 aforetime  Archaic.  adv.  At a former or past time; previously.   -adj.
 Earlier; former.



 a fortiori  adv.  For a stronger reason; all the more. Used of a
 conclusion arrived at with greater logical necessity than another. [Lat.]



 afoul of  prep.  In or into a condition of collision, entanglement, or
 conflict.

       Idiom Section:  run  fallafoul of.. To become entangled or in
 conflict with.



 afraid  adj.  1. Filled with fear. 2. Reluctant; averse: not afraid of
 work.  3. Filled with regret: I'm afraid you're wrong.  [ME affraied,
 p.part. of affraien, to frighten < OFr. esfreer, to disturb.]



 A-frame  n.  A structure, as a house, with steeply angled sides and a roof
 that reaches to the ground. [From its being shaped like a capital A.]



 afreet or afrit   n.  Arabic Myth. A powerful evil spirit or gigantic and
 monstrous demon. [Ar. 'ifrit.]



 afresh  adv.  Once more; anew; again.



 African  adj.  Of or pertaining to Africa or any of its peoples or
 languages.   -n. 1. A person born or living in Africa. 2. A member of one
 of the indigenous peoples of Africa.



 African lily  n.  A plant, Agapanthus africanus, native to southern
 Africa, having rounded clusters of blue, violet, or white flowers.



 African mahogany  n.  1.  a. Any of several African trees of the genus
 Khaya, esp. K. ivorensis, having wood similar to that of true mahogany. b.
 The wood of this tree, used for furniture, musical instruments, and boat
 interiors. 2. Any of various other African woods resembling true mahogany.



 African marigold  n.  A widely cultivated plant, Tagetes erecta, native to
 Mexico, having finely divided foliage and showy, rounded orange or yellow
 flowers.



 African sleeping sickness  n.  Sleeping sickness.



 African violet  n.  Any of several plants of the genus Saintpaulia, native
 to tropical Africa and widely cultivated as house plants, esp. S. ionantha,
 having violet, white, or pink flowers.



 Afrikaans  n.  A language that developed from 17th-century Dutch and is an
 official language of the Republic of South Africa. [Afr. < Du. Afrikaansch,
 African.]



 Afrikaner  n.  An Afrikaans-speaking descendant of the Dutch settlers of
 South Africa. [Afr., African < Lat. Africanus.]



 afrit  n.  Variant of afreet.



 Afro  n. pl. -ros  A rounded, bushy hair style.   -adj. 1. Of or for an
 Afro: an Afro comb.  2. Directly or indirectly African in style. [Perh.
 short for Afro-American.]



 Afro-   African: Afro-Asiatic.  [< Lat. Afer, an African.]



 Afro-American  adj.  Of or pertaining to American blacks of African
 ancestry, their history, or their culture.   -n. An American black of
 African ancestry.



 Afro-Asiatic  n.  A family of languages of southwestern Asia and northern
 Africa.   Afro-Asiatic adj.



 aft  adv.  -adj. Nautical.  At, in, toward, or close to the stern of a
 vessel. [Prob. shortening of abaft.]



 after  prep.  1. Behind in place or order. 2. In quest or pursuit of: seek
 after fame.  3. Concerning: asked after you.  4. Subsequent in time to; at
 a later time than: come after dinner.  5. Subsequent to and because of or
 regardless of: friends after all their differences.  6. Following
 continually: year after year.  7. Next to or lower than in order or
 importance. 8. In the style of; in imitation of: satires after Horace.  9.
 With the same or close to the same name as;!in honor or commemoration of:
 named after her mother.  10. According to the nature or desires of; in
 conformity to: a man after my own heart.  11. Past the hour of: five
 minutes after three.    -adv. 1. Behind; in the rear. 2. At a later or
 subsequent time; afterward.   -adj. 1. Subsequent in time or place; later;
 following: in after years.  2.  Nautical. Nearer the stern of a vessel;
 farther aft.    -conj. Following or subsequent to the time that: I saw her
 after I arrived.

       Idiom Section:  after all. 1. When everything is considered. 2.
 Eventually; ultimately. [ME < OE aefter.]



 afterbirth  n.  The placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus
 after childbirth.



 afterburner  n.  1. A device for augmenting the thrust of a jet engine by
 burning additional fuel with the uncombined oxygen in the hot exhaust
 gases. 2. A device for burning or chemically altering unburned or partially
 burned carbon compounds in exhaust gases.



 aftercare  n.  Treatment or special care given to convalescent patients,
 esp. after undergoing surgery.



 afterclap  n.  An unexpected, often unpleasant sequel to a matter that had
 been considered closed.



 afterdamp  n.  An asphyxiating mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen and
 carbon dioxide, left in a mine after a fire or explosion.



 afterdeck  n.  Nautical.  The part of a ship's deck past amidships toward
 the stern.



 aftereffect  n.  An effect following its cause after some delay, esp. a
 delayed or prolonged physiological or psychological response to a stimulus.




 afterglow  n.  1. The light emitted or remaining after removal of a source
 of illumination, esp.: a. The atmospheric glow after sunset. b. The glow of
 an incandescent metal as it cools. c. Emission from a phosphor after
 removal of excitation. 2. The comfortable feeling following a pleasant
 experience. 3. A lingering impression of past brilliance.



 after-hours  adj.  1. Occurring after closing time: after-hours drinking.
 2. Open after a legal or established closing time: an after-hours club.



 afterimage  n.  A visual image that persists after a visual stimulus
 ceases.



 afterlife  n.  1. A life believed to follow death. 2. The part of one's
 life that follows a particular event.



 after-market  n.  The demand for goods or services, such as repairs,
 associated with the upkeep of a previous purchase.



 aftermath  n.  1. A consequence or result, esp. of a disaster or
 misfortune. 2. A period of time following a disastrous event. 3. A second
 crop of grass in the same season. [after + obs. math, mowing, < OE maeo.]



 aftermost  adj.  1.  Nautical. Nearest the stern; farthest aft. 2. Nearest
 the end or rear; hindmost; last.



 afternoon  n.  1. The part of the day from noon until sunset. 2. The
 closing part.



 afterpains  pl.n.  The cramps or pains following childbirth, resulting
 from the contraction of the womb.



 afterpiece  n.  A short comic piece performed after a play.



 aftersensation  n.  A sensory impression, such as an afterimage or
 aftertaste, that persists or recurs after removal of a stimulus.



 after-shave  n.  A usually fragrant lotion for use on the face after
 shaving.



 aftertaste  n.  1. A taste persisting in the mouth after the substance
 causing it is no longer present. 2. A feeling that remains after an event
 or experience.



 afterthought  n.  An idea, response, or explanation that occurs to one
 after an event or decision.



 aftertime  n.  The time to come; future.



 afterward or afterwards   adv.  In or at a later time; subsequently.



 afterword  n.  An epilogue (sense 2).



 afterworld  n.  A world thought to come after death.



 aftmost  adj.  Nautical.  Farthest aft; aftermost.



 Ag   The symbol for the element silver. [Lat. argentum.]



 ag-   Variant of ad-.Used before g.



 aga or agha   n.  A high official of the Ottoman Empire. [Turk. aga.]



 again  adv.  1. Once more; another time; anew. 2. To a previous place,
 position, or state: left home but went back again.  3. Furthermore;
 moreover. 4. On the other hand: might go and again might not.  5. In
 return; in response; back.

       Idiom Section:  again and again. Repeatedly; frequently. as much
 again. 1. The same amount. 2. Twice as much. [ME < OE ongeagn, against.]



 against  prep.  1. In a direction or course opposite to: row against the
 current.  2. So as to come into forcible contact with: waves dashing
 against the shore.  3. In contact with so as to rest or press on: leaned
 against the tree.  4. In hostile opposition or resistance to: struggle
 against fate.  5. Contrary to; opposed to: against my better judgment.  6.
 In contrast or comparison with the setting or background of: dark colors
 against a fair skin.  7. In preparation for; in anticipation of: food
 stored against winter.  8. As a defense or safeguard from: protection
 against the cold.  9. To the account or debt of: drew a check against her
 bank balance.  10. Directly opposite to; facing. [ME, alteration of againes
 < OE ongeagn.]



 agalactia  n.  Nonsecretion or dysfunctional secretion of milk following
 childbirth. [NLat. < Gk. agalaktia, lack of milk : a-, not + gala, milk.]



 agama  n.  Any of various small, long-tailed, insect-eating lizards of the
 family Agamidae, found in Old World tropics. [Carib.]



 Agamemnon  n.  Greek Mythology.  The king of Mycenae, leader of the Greeks
 against Troy, husband of Clytemnestra, and father of Orestes, Electra, and
 Iphigenia. [Gk. Agamemnon.]



 agamete  n.  An asexual reproductive cell that progresses into an adult
 individual.



 agamic  adj.  Biology.  Occurring or reproducing without the union of male
 and female cells; asexual or parthenogenetic. [< LLat. agamus, unmarried <
 Gk. agamos : a-, not + gamos, marriage.]   agamically adv.



 agamogenesis  n.  Asexual reproduction, as by budding, cell division, or
 parthenogenesis. [agam(ic) + -genesis.]



 agamous  adj.  Agamic.



 agapanthus  n.  Any plant of the genus Agapanthus, which includes the
 African lily. [NLat. Agapanthus, genus name : Gk. agape, love + Gk. anthos,
 flower.]



 agape
 agape(1)  adv.  -adj. 1. In a state of wonder or amazement. 2. Wide open.
 agape(2)   n.  1. Christian love. 2. Love that is spiritual, not sexual, in
 its nature. 3. In the early Christian Church, the love feast accompanied by
 Eucharistic celebration. [Gk. agape, love.]



 agar or agar-agar   n.  A gelatinous material prepared from certain marine
 algae and used as a base for bacterial culture media, as a laxative, and
 for thickening certain foods. [Short for Malay agar-agar.]



 agaric  n.  1. Any fungus of the family Agaricacae, including the common
 cultivated mushroom, Agaricus campestris.  2. The dried fruiting body of
 the fungus Fomes laricis, formerly used in medicine. [Lat. agaricum, a kind
 of fungus < Gk. agarikon.]



 agate  n.  1. A fine-grained, fibrous variety of chalcedony with color
 banding or irregular clouding. 2. A child's marble made of agate or a glass
 imitation of it. 3. A tool with agate parts, as a burnisher tipped with
 agate. 4. A printer's type size, approximately 51/2 points. [ME achate <
 OFr. acate < Lat. achates < Gk. akhates.]



 agate line  n.  A measure of space used in estimating printed advertising,
 usually one column wide and 1/14 of an inch deep.



 agave  n.  Any of numerous fleshy-leaved tropical American plants of the
 genus Agave, which includes the century plant. Some species yield valuable
 fibers. [NLat. Agave, genus name < Gk. agaue, fem. of agauos, noble.]



 age  n.  1. The period of time during which someone or something exists.
 2. A lifetime. 3. The time in life when a person becomes qualified to
 assume certain civil and personal rights and responsibilities, usually at
 eighteen or twenty-one years; legal age: under age.  4. A period of life
 denoted as differing from other periods; stage: the age of adolescence.  5.
 The latter portion of life; the state of being old. 6. Any period in
 history or geology designated by distinctive characteristics: the age of
 enlightenment.  7.  Informal. An extended period of time: left ages ago.
 8.  Psychology. Mental age.   -v.aged aging ages   -tr. To cause to grow
 older or more mature. -intr. 1. To become old. 2. To manifest traits
 associated with old age. 3. To develop a certain quality of ripeness;
 become mature: cheese aging at room temperature.  [ME < OFr. aage < Lat.
 aetas, age.]   ager n.



 -age   1. Collection; mass: sewerage.  2. Relationship; connection:
 parentage.  3. Condition; state: vagabondage.  4.  a. An action: blockage.
 b. Result of an action: breakage.  5. Residence or place of: vicarage.  6.
 Charge or fee: cartage.  [ME < OFr. < Lat. -aticum, n. and adj. suffix.]



 aged  adj.  1. Old; on in years. 2. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic
 of old age. 3.  Of the age of: aged three.  4.  Geology. Near the base
 level of erosion.   agedly adv.   agedness n.



 ageing  n.  British.  Variant of aging.



 ageism  n.  Discrimination based on age, esp. discrimination against
 middle-aged and elderly people.   ageist n.



 ageless  adj.  1. Never seeming to grow old. 2. Existing forever; eternal.
   agelessly adv.   agelessness n.



 agency  n. pl. -cies  1. Action; operation. 2. A mode of action; means. 3.
 A business or service authorized to act for others: an employment agency.
 4. A governmental department of administration or regulations. [Med. Lat.
 agentia < agens, effective. -see agent.]



 agenda  n.  1. A list of things to be done, esp. the program for a
 meeting. 2. Plural of agendum. [Lat. pl. of agendum, agendum.]

      Usage: Agenda,  meaning "list" or "program," is well established as a
 collective noun with singular verb; a great majority of the Usage Panel
 accepts such a combination.



 agendum  n. pl. -da  or -das  Something to be done, esp. an item on an
 agenda. [Lat., neuter gerund. of agere, to do.]



 agenesis  n.  Failure of an organism, organ, or part to develop.



 agent  n.  1. One that acts or has the power or authority to act. 2. One
 that acts for or as the representative of another: an insurance agent.  3.
 A means or mode by which something is done or caused; instrument. 4. A
 force or substance that causes some change: a chemical agent.  5. A
 representative of a government or administrative department of a
 government: an FBI agent.  6. A spy. [ME < Lat. agens, effective, pr.part.
 of agere, to do.]



 agential  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or acting as an agent or agency.



 agent provocateur  n. pl. agents provocateurs  A secret agent who
 infiltrates an organization in order to incite trouble designed to make its
 members commit acts that will incur punishment. [Fr.]



 age of consent  n.  Law.  The age at which a female may legally choose to
 have sexual intercourse.



 ageratum  n.  1. Any of various plants of the genus Ageratum, esp. A.
 houstonianum, a commonly cultivated species having clusters of usually
 violet-blue flowers. 2. Any of several other plants having flower clusters
 similar to the ageratum. [NLat. Ageratum, genus name < Gk. ageratos,
 ageless : a-, not + geras, old age.]



 aggie
 aggie(1)  n.  A playing marble. [ag(ate) + -ie.]
 aggie(2)  n.  1. An agricultural college. 2. A student enrolled at an
 agricultural college or in an agricultural program within a university.
 [ag(ricultural) + -ie.]



 aggiornamento  n. pl. -tos  The process of bringing up to date an
 institution or organization. [Ital. < aggiornare, to update : a-, to (<
 Lat. ad.) + giorno, day < Lat. diurnus, daily < dies, day.]



 agglomerate  tr.  -intr.v.-ated -ating -ates   To make or form into a
 rounded mass.   -adj.  Gathered into a rounded mass.   -n.  1. A confused
 or jumbled mass of things clustered together; heap. 2. A volcanic rock
 consisting of rounded and angular fragments fused together. [Lat.
 agglomerare, agglomerat-, to annex : ad-, to + glomerare, to form into a
 ball < glomus, ball.]   agglomerative adj.   agglomerator n.



 agglomeration  n.  1. The act or process of agglomerating. 2. The state of
 being agglomerated. 3. A confused or jumbled mass; agglomerate.



 agglutinate  v. -nated -nating -nates   -tr. 1. To join together by
 causing adhesion, as with glue. 2.  Linguistics. To form (words) by
 combining words or words and word elements. 3.  Physiology. To cause (red
 blood cells or microorganisms) to clump together. -intr. 1. To join
 together into a group or mass. 2.  Linguistics. To form words by
 agglutination. 3. To undergo agglutination. [Lat. agglutinare, agglutinat :
 ad-, to + glutinare, to glue < gluten, glue.]   agglutinant adj. n.



 agglutination  n.  1. The process of agglutinating; adhesion of distinct
 parts. 2. A mass formed by agglutinating. 3.  Linguistics. The formation of
 words from morphemes that retain their original forms and meanings with
 little change during the combination process.



 agglutinative  adj.  1. Tending toward, concerning, or characteristic of
 agglutination. 2.  Linguistics. Designating a language in which words are
 formed primarily by means of agglutination.



 agglutinin  n.  A substance that induces agglutination. [agglutin(ation) +
 -in.]



 agglutinogen  n.  An antigen that stimulates the production of an
 agglutinin. [agglutin(in) + -gen.]   agglutinogenic adj.



 aggrade  tr.v. -graded -grading -grades   To fill and raise the level of
 (the bed of a stream) by deposition of sediment.   aggradation n.
 aggradational adj.



 aggrandize  tr.v. -dized -dizing -dizes   1. To increase the scope of;
 enlarge; extend. 2. To make greater in power, influence, stature, or
 reputation. 3. To make seem greater; exaggerate. [Fr. aggrandir,
 aggrandiss- : a-, to (< Lat. ad-) + grandir, to grow larger < Lat. grandire
 < grandis, large.]   aggrandizement n.   aggrandizer n.



 aggravate  tr.v. -vated -vating -vates   1. To make worse or more
 troublesome; make more of a burden. 2.  Informal. To annoy or exasperate;
 provoke; irritate; vex. [Lat. aggravare, aggravat- : ad, to + gravare, to
 burden < gravis, heavy.]   aggravatingly adv.   aggravative adj.
 aggravator n.

      Usage: The word aggravate  is widely used to mean "to irritate," as in
 The mechanic's surliness aggravated me no end.  But many still insist that
 the word should be used only to mean "to make worse," in referring to a
 situation or condition, as in: The plight of the small farmer has been
 aggravated by the drought. Kim's bad back was aggravated by his refusal to
 get sufficient rest.



 aggravated assault  n.  Law.  Any of various assaults that are more
 serious than a common assault, esp. one performed with an intent to commit
 a crime.



 aggravation  n.  1. The act of aggravating. 2. The state of being
 aggravated. 3. A thing that irritates or makes worse, more troublesome, or
 more irritated. 4.  Informal. Exasperation; bothersomeness.



 aggregate  adj.  1. Gathered together into a mass or sum so as to
 constitute a whole; total. 2.  Botany. Crowded or massed into a dense
 cluster. 3. Composed of a mixture of minerals separable by mechanical
 means.   -n.  1. Any total or whole considered with reference to its
 constituent parts; an assemblage or group of distinct particulars massed
 together; gross amount:  An empire is the aggregate of many states under
 one common head (Burke). 2. The mineral materials, such as sand or stone,
 used in making concrete.   -tr.v. -gated -gating -gates   1. To gather into
 a mass, sum, or whole. 2. To total up to; amount to. [ME aggregat < Lat.
 aggregare, to add to : ad-, to + gregare,  to collect < grex, flock.]
 aggregately adv.   aggregation n.   aggregative adj.   aggregator n.



 aggregate fruit  n.  A fruit, such as the raspberry, developed from the
 pistils of a single flower and consisting of a coherent mass of drupelets.



 aggress  intr.v. -gressed -gressing -gresses   To start an attack or a
 quarrel. [Fr. aggresser < Lat. aggredi : ad-, toward + gradi, to go.]

      Usage: Though the verb aggress  has a long and honorable history, it
 has lately come to be associated primarily with the jargon of psychology
 and is often objected to.



 aggression  n.  1. The act of commencing hostilities or invasion; assault.
 2. The habit or practice of launching attacks. 3.  Psychoanalysis. Hostile
 action or behavior.



 aggressive  adj.  1. Inclined to move or act in a hostile fashion. 2.
 Assertive; bold; enterprising.   aggressively adv.   aggressiveness n.



 aggressor  n.  One that engages in aggression.



 aggrieve  tr.v. -grieved -grieving -grieves   1. To distress or afflict.
 2. To injure unjustly; give reason for just complaint. [ME agreven < OFr.
 agrever < Lat. aggravare, to make worse. -see aggravate.]



 aggrieved  adj.  1. Feeling distress or affliction. 2. Treated wrongly;
 offended. 3.  Law. Treated unjustly by a decision of the court or other
 legal authority.   aggrievedly adv.   aggrievedness n.



 agha  n.  Variant of aga.



 aghast  adj.  Shocked, as by something horrible; terrified. [ME agast,
 p.part. of agasten, to frighten : a- (intensive) + gasten, to frighten < OE
 gaestan < gast, ghost.]



 agile  adj.  1. Able to move in a quick and easy fashion; active. 2.
 Mentally alert. [OFr. < Lat. agilis < agere, to impel.]   agilely adv.
 agileness n.



 agility  n.  The state or quality of being agile; nimbleness; briskness.



 agin  prep.  Regional.  Against.



 aging  n.  1. The process of becoming old or mature. 2. An artificial
 process for imparting the characteristics and properties of age.



 agio  n. pl. -os  1. A premium paid for changing one kind of money to
 another. 2. An allowance or premium for the difference in value between two
 currencies being exchanged. [Ital. < Med. Gk. allagion, exchange < allage,
 change < allos, other.]



 agitate  v. -tated -tating -tates   -tr. 1. To move with violence or
 sudden forcefulness; excite physically: a storm agitating the ocean.  2. To
 upset; disturb: agitated by grief.  3. To arouse interest in (a cause, for
 example) by the written or spoken word; discuss; debate. 4.  Archaic. To
 ponder over; plan. -intr. To stir up public interest in a cause. [Lat.
 agitare, agitat-, freq. of agere, to impel.]   agitatedly adv.   agitative
 adj.



 agitation  n.  1. The act of agitating. 2. The state of being agitated;
 disturbance; commotion. 3. Extreme emotional disturbance; perturbation. 4.
 The stirring up of public interest in a matter of controversy, such as a
 political or social issue.   agitational adj.



 agitato  adj.  Music.  Agitated; fast and stirring. Used as a direction.
 [Ital. < Lat. agitare, to agitate.]   agitato adv.



 agitator  n.  1. A person who agitates, esp. one who engages in political
 agitation. 2. A machine mechanism that stirs or shakes, as in a washing.



 agitprop  n.  Communist-oriented political propaganda disseminated esp.
 through literature, drama, art, or music. [R., office of agitation and
 propaganda : agitatsiya, agitation + propaganda, propaganda.]



 Aglaia  n.  Greek Mythology.  One of the three Graces. [Gk. < aglaia,
 splendor < aglaos, bright.]



 agleam  adj.  -adv. Brightly shining.



 aglet  n.  1. A tag or metal sheath on the end of a lace, cord, or ribbon
 to facilitate its passing through eyelet holes. 2. A device similar to the
 aglet used for an ornament. [ME < OFr. aguillette, dim. of aguille, needle
 < LLat. acicula, dim. of Lat. acus, needle.]



 agley  adv.  Scots.  Off to one side; awry. [Scottish : a-, on + gley, to
 squint < ME glien.]



 aglimmer  adj.  -adv. Lighting up faintly; glimmering.



 aglitter  adj.  Glittering; sparkling.   aglitter adv.



 aglow  adj.  -adv. In a glow; glowing.



 aglycon or aglycone   n.  A nonsugar component of a glycoside that is
 resolvable through hydrolysis.



 agminate or agminated   adj.  Gathered in clusters. [< Lat. agmen, agmin-,
 multitude.]



 agnail  n.  1. A hangnail. 2. A painful sore or swelling around a
 fingernail or toenail. [ME angnail, corn < OE angnaegl, a sore under the
 nail : ang-, tight + naegel, nail.]



 agnate  adj.  1. Related on or descended from the father's or male side.
 2. From a common source; akin.   -n. A relative on the father's or male
 side only. [Lat. agnatus, a relation on the father's side < the p.part. of
 agnasci, to be born in addition to : ad-, to + nasci, to be born.]
 agnatic adj.   agnatically adv.   agnation n.



 Agni  n.  Hinduism.  The Vedic god of fire and guardian of man. [Skt.
 agnih, fire.]



 agnomen  n. pl. -nomina  1. An additional cognomen given to a Roman
 citizen, often in honor of military victories. 2. A nickname. [Lat. : ad-,
 to + nomen, name.]



 agnosia  n.  Pathologic loss of auditory, sensory, or visual
 comprehension. [NLat. < Gk. agnosia, ignorance : a-, not + gnosis,
 knowledge < gignoskein, to know.]



 agnostic  n.  Someone who believes that there can be no proof of the
 existence of God but does not deny the possibility that God exists.   -adj.
 Pertaining to agnostics or their doctrines. [< Gk. agnostos, unknown : a-,
 not + gnostos, known < gignoskein, to know.]   agnostically adv.



 agnosticism  n.  1.  Philosophy. The doctrines of the agnostics, holding
 that certainty, first or absolute truths, are unattainable and that only
 perceptual phenomena are objects of exact knowledge. 2.  Theology. A theory
 that does not deny God but denies the possibility of knowing Him.



 Agnus Dei  n.  1. The Lamb of God, an emblem of Christ. 2. An iconographic
 representation of the Agnus Dei. 3. A liturgical prayer to Christ. [Lat.]



 ago  adj.  Gone by; past: two years ago.    -adv. In the past: happened
 long ago.  [ME, p.part. of agon, to go away < OE agan : a- (intensive) +
 gan, to go.]

      Usage: Ago  may be followed by that  or when: It was a week ago that
 (or when ) I saw him.  It may not be followed by since: It was a week ago
 since I saw him. Since  is properly used without ago,  as in It has been a
 week since I saw him.



 agog  adv.  -adj. In a state of keen anticipation; highly excited; astir.
 [ME agogge < OFr. en gogue, in merriment.]



 -agog   Variant of -agogue.



 a gogo or ago-go   adv.  In a fast and lively manner; freely: dancing a
 gogo.  [Fr., galore. ]



 -agogue or -agog    A substance that stimulates the flow of: hemagogue.
 [LLat. -agogus < Gk. -agogos < agein, to lead.]



 agone  adj.  -adv. Archaic.  Gone; gone by; past. [ME agon, p.part. of
 agon, to go away. -see ago.]



 agonic  adj.  Having no angle. [< Gk. agonos : a-, not + gonia, angle.]



 agonic line  n.  An imaginary line on the earth's surface connecting
 points where the magnetic declination is zero.



 agonist  n.  1.  Physiology. A muscle that contracts and is opposed by
 contraction in another muscle, the antagonist. 2. One involved in a
 struggle or competition. [Back-formation < antagonist.]



 agonistic or agonistical   adj.  1. Striving to overcome in argument;
 competitive; combative. 2. Straining to achieve effect. 3. Of or pertaining
 to contests, originally those of the ancient Greeks. [Gk. agonistikos <
 agonistes, combatant < agon, contest.]   agonistically adv.



 agonize  v. -nized -nizing -nizes   -intr. 1. To be in extreme pain or
 suffer great anguish. 2. To make a great effort; struggle. -tr. To cause
 great pain or anguish to. [OFr. agoniser < Med. Lat. agonizare < Gk.
 agonizesthai, to struggle < agon, contest.]   agonizingly adv.



 agony  n. pl. -nies  1. The suffering of intense physical or mental pain.
 2. The struggle that precedes death. 3. A sudden or intense emotion of a
 particular sort: an agony of doubt.  4. A violent or intense struggle. [ME
 agonie < OFr. < Med. Lat. agonia < Gk. agonia < agon, struggle.]



 agony column  n.  A newspaper column containing advertisements chiefly
 about missing relatives or friends.



 agora
 agora(1)  n. pl. -rae  or -ras  A marketplace in ancient Greece,
 customarily used as a place of popular assembly. [Gk.]
 agora(2)   n. pl. -rot  or -roth  See table at currency. [Heb. 'agorah <
 agor, to collect.]



 agoraphobia  n.  Abnormal fear of open spaces. [Gk. agora, open space +
 -phobia.]   agoraphobiac n.   agoraphobic adj.



 agouti  n. pl. -tis  or -ties  Any of several burrowing rodents of the
 genus Dasyprocta, of tropical America, having grizzled brownish or
 dark-gray fur. [Fr. < Sp. (South America) aguti < Guarani acuti.]



 agr-   Variant of agro-.



 agraffe or agrafe   n.  1. A hook-and-loop arrangement used for a clasp on
 armor and clothing. 2. A cramp iron for holding stones together in
 building. [Fr. agrafe < OFr. agrafer, to hook onto : a-, to (< Lat. ad) +
 grafer, to hook < grafe, hook, of Germanic orig.]



 agranulocytosis  n.  A drug-induced disease marked by high fever, lesions
 of the mucous membranes, and a decrease in granular white blood corpuscles.




 agrapha or Agrapha   pl.n.  The sayings of Jesus not in the Bible. [Gk. <
 agraphos, unwritten : a- not + graphein, to write.]



 agraphia  n.  A disorder marked by the inability to write. [a-1 + Gk.
 graphein, to write.]   agraphic adj.



 agrarian  adj.  1. Relating to or concerning the land and its ownership,
 cultivation, and tenure. 2. Pertaining to agricultural or rural matters.
 -n. A person who favors equitable distribution of land. [< Lat. agrarius <
 ager, land.]   agrarianly adv.



 agrarianism  n.  A movement for equitable distribution of land and for
 agrarian reform.



 agravic  adj.  Of or relating to a condition of no gravitation. [a-1 +
 grav(ity) + -ic.]



 agree  v. agreed agreeing agrees   -intr. 1. To grant consent; accede:
 agreed to accompany us.  2. To come into or be in accord; match: a copy
 that agrees with the original.  3. To be of one opinion: didn't agree with
 me.  4. To come to an understanding or to terms: finally agreed on the
 solution.  5. To be suitable or appropriate: Spicy food does not agree with
 him.  6.  Grammar. To correspond in gender, number, case, or person. -tr.
 To grant or concede: agreed that we should go.  [ME agreen < OFr. agreer <
 VLat. *aggratare : Lat. ad-, to + Lat. gratus, pleasing.]

      Synonyms: agree conform harmonize accord correspond
 coincide These verbs all indicate compatible relationship between people or
 things. Agree  may indicate mere lack of incongruity or discord, but often
 it suggests acceptance of ideas or actions and thus accommodation. Conform
 stresses close resemblance in form, thought, or basic characteristics,
 sometimes the result of accommodation to established standards. Harmonize
 implies a relationship of unlike things combined or arranged to make a
 pleasing whole. Accord  implies close similarity between things or
 harmonious relationship or both. Correspond  refers either to actual
 similarity in form or nature or to similarity in function of unlike things.
 Coincide  stresses exact agreement in space, time, or thought.




 agreeable  adj.  1. To one's liking; pleasing; pleasant. 2. In accordance;
 suitable; conformable. 3. Ready to consent or submit.   agreeability
 agreeableness n.   agreeably adv.



 agreed  adj.  1. Determined by common consent: the agreed meeting place.
 2. Of one opinion: Both parties were agreed.  3. Allowed; granted: Want to
 leave? Agreed.



 agreement  n.  1. The act of agreeing. 2. Harmony of opinion; accord. 3.
 An arrangement between parties regarding a method of action; covenant. 4.
 Law.  a. A properly executed and legally binding compact. b. The writing or
 document embodying this. 5.  Grammar. Correspondence in gender, number,
 case, or person between words.



 agrestal or agrestial   adj.  Growing wild, esp. in cultivated areas, as
 weeds do. [Lat. agrestis < ager, land.]



 agrestic or agrestical   adj.  1. Rural; rustic. 2. Unpolished; crude.



 agria  n.  Intense or extensive pustular eruption. [< Gk. agria, wild <
 agros, field.]



 agribusiness  n.  Farming engaged in as big business, embracing the
 production, processing, and distribution of farm products and the
 manufacture of farm machinery, equipment, and supplies. [agri(culture) +
 business.]



 agriculture  n.  The science, art, and business of cultivating the soil,
 producing crops, and raising livestock; farming. [Lat. agricultura : ager,
 land + cultura, cultivation.]   agricultural adj.   agriculturally adv.
 agriculturist  agriculturalist n.



 agrimony  n. pl. -nies  1. Any of various plants of the genus Agrimonia,
 having compound leaves, long clusters of small yellow flowers, and bristly
 fruits. 2. Any of several plants similar or related to the agrimony, such
 as the hemp agrimony. [ME agrimonie < OFr. aigremoine < Lat. agrimonia,
 alteration of argemonia < Gk. argemone, poppy.]



 agrioecology  n.  The ecology of domestic or cultivated plants. [Gk.
 agrios, wild (< agros, field) + ecology.]



 agriology  n.  The study of peoples whose cultures are at an early stage
 of development. [Gk. agrios, wild (< agros, field) + -logy.]   agriological
 adj.



 agro- or agr-    Field; soil: agrology.  [< Gk. agros, field.]



 agrobiology  n.  The science of plant and animal growth and nutrition as
 related to soil variation and crop yield.   agrobiologic  agrobiological
 adj.   agrobiologically adv.   agrobiologist n.



 agrology  n.  The applied science of soils in relation to crops.
 agrologic  agrological adj.   agrologically adv.   agrologist n.



 agronomy or agronomics   n.  The application of the various soil and plant
 sciences to soil management and the raising of crops; scientific
 agriculture.   agronomic agronomical  adj.   agronomist n.



 agrostology  n.  The botanical study of grasses. [Gk. agrostis, a kind of
 wild grass (< agros, field) + -logy.]



 aground  adv.  -adj. Stranded in shallow water or on a reef or shoal: a
 ship that ran aground.



 agrypnia  n.  Insomnia. [Gk. < agrupnos, wakeful.]



 ague  n.  1. A fever, like that of malaria, in which there are periods of
 chill, fever, and sweating. 2. A chill or fit of shivering. [ME < OFr.,
 short for fievre ague, sharp fever < Med. Lat. febris acuta : febris, fever
 + acutus, sharp.]   aguish adj.   aguishly adv.   aguishness n.



 agueweed  n.  1. A plant, Gentiana quinquefolia, of eastern North America,
 having clusters of pale blue-violet or white flowers. 2. Boneset.



 ah  interj.  Used to express various emotions, such as surprise, delight,
 pain, satisfaction, or dislike.



 aha  interj.  Used to express surprise, triumph, or pleasure.



 ahead  adv.  1. At or to the front or head. 2. In advance; before. 3.
 Onward; forward.

       Idiom Section:  ahead of. . In front of. be ahead. Informal.  To be
 gaining or winning. get ahead. To attain success.



 ahem  interj.  Used to attract attention or to express doubt or warning.



 ahimsa  n.  A Buddhist and Hindu doctrine of nonviolence expressing belief
 in the sacredness of all living creatures. [Skt. ahimsa : a-, not + himsa,
 injury < himsati, he injures.]



 ahoy  interj.  Nautical.  Used to hail a ship or person or to attract
 attention.



 Ahriman  n.  The spirit of evil in Zoroastrianism, understood by some as
 the arch rival of Ormazd. [Pers. Ahriman, prob. < Avestan anra mainyu :
 anra, evil + mainyu, spirit.]



 Ahura Mazda  n.  Ormazd. [Avestan, wise god.]



 ai  n.  A three-toed sloth of the genus Bradypus.  [Port. < Tupi.]



 aid  v. aided aiding aids   -intr. To help; assist. -tr. To give help or
 assistance to.   -n. 1. The act or result of helping; assistance. 2. One
 that helps; an assistant or helper. 3. An aide-de-camp or aide. 4. In
 medieval England, a money payment to a feudal lord by a vassal. [ME aiden <
 OFr. aider < Lat. adjutare, freq. of adjuvare, to help : ad- (intensive) +
 juvare, to help.]   aider n.



 aide  n.  1. An aide-de-camp. 2. An assistant; helper: a nurse's aide.
 [Fr. < aider, to aid.]



 aide-de-camp  n. pl. aides-de-camp  A naval or military officer acting as
 secretary and confidential assistant to a superior officer of general or
 flag rank. [Fr.]



 aide-memoire  n.  1. Something that serves as an aid to memory, as a
 mnemonic device. 2. An outline or memorandum setting forth the major points
 of a proposed agreement or discussion, used esp. in diplomatic
 communications. [Fr.]



 AIDS  n.  A disease of no known etiology in which the body's immunological
 system is destroyed. [An acronym for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.]



 aigrette or aigret   n.  1. An ornamental tuft of upright plumes, esp. the
 tail feathers of an egret. 2. An ornament, such as a spray of gems,
 resembling an aigrette. [Fr., egret < OFr. -see egret.]



 aiguille  n.  1. A sharp, pointed mountain peak. 2. A needle-shaped drill
 for boring holes in rock or masonry. [Fr., needle. -see aglet.]



 aiguillette  n.  An ornamental cord or braid worn on the shoulder of a
 military uniform. [Fr. -see aglet.]



 aikido  n.  A Japanese method of self-defense in which one's opponent's
 strength and weight are used against him. [J. aikido : ai, mutual + ki,
 spirit + do, art.]



 ail  v. ailed ailing ails   -intr. To feel ill or have pain; be unwell.
 -tr. To cause pain; make ill or uneasy; trouble. [ME eilen < OE eglian <
 egle, troublesome.]



 ailanthus  n.  A deciduous tree, Ailanthus altissima, native to China but
 naturalized in North America esp. in urban areas that has compound leaves
 and clusters of greenish flowers with an unpleasant odor. [NLat. Ailanthus,
 genus name < Amboinese ai lanto, tree of heaven.]



 aileron  n.  Either of two movable flaps on the wings of an airplane that
 can be used to control the plane's rolling and banking movements. [Fr.,
 dim. of aile, wing < OFr. < Lat. ala.]



 ailment  n.  A physical or mental disorder, esp. a mild illness.



 ailurophile  n.  One who loves cats. [Gk. ailuros, cat + -phile.]



 ailurophobe  n.  One who hates or fears cats. [Gk. ailuros, cat + -phobe.]




 aim  v. aimed aiming aims   -tr. To direct (a weapon, remark, or blow, for
 example) at someone or something. -intr. 1. To direct a weapon: a gunner
 aiming carefully.  2. To determine a course: aim at better education.  3.
 To propose; intend: aim to solve the problem.    -n. 1. The act of aiming
 or pointing. 2. The sighting or line of fire of something aimed. 3.
 Obsolete. An object or point aimed at; target; mark. 4. Purpose; intention;
 plan. 5.  Obsolete. A conjecture; guess. [ME amen < OFr. aesmer, to guess
 at : a-, at (< Lat. ad) + esmer, to guess < Lat. aestimare, to estimate.]



 aimless  adj.  Without direction or purpose.   aimlessly adv.
 aimlessness n.



 ain  adj.  Scots.  Own.



 ain't  Nonstandard.   1. Am not. 2. Used also as a contraction for are
 not, is not, has not, and have not.

      Usage: Ain't  has acquired such a stigma over the years that it is
 beyond rehabilitation, even though it would serve a useful function as a
 contraction for am not  and even though its use as an alternate form for
 isn't, hasn't, aren't,  and haven't  has a good historical justification.
 In questions, the variant aren't I  is acceptable in speech to a majority
 of the Usage Panel, but in writing there is no generally acceptable
 substitute for the stilted am I not.



 Ainu  n. pl. Ainu  or -nus  1. A member of an aboriginal Caucasian people
 inhabiting the northernmost islands of Japan. 2. The language of the Ainus.




 aioli  n.  A rich garlic-flavored mayonnaise, used esp. on fish and
 vegetables. [Prov. : ai, garlic (< Lat. allium) + oli, oil (< Lat. oleum).]




 air  n.  1.  a. A colorless, odorless, tasteless gaseous mixture, mainly
 nitrogen (approximately 78 per cent) and oxygen (approximately 21 per cent)
 with lesser amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, and other
 gases. b. This mixture with varying amounts of moisture, low-altitude
 pollutants, and particulate matter, enveloping the earth; the atmosphere.
 c. The air or atmosphere in an enclosure. 2. The sky; firmament. 3. An
 atmospheric movement; breeze; wind. 4.  Archaic. Breath. 5. Public
 utterance; circulation: give air to one's grievances.  6. A peculiar or
 characteristic impression; aura: a room with an air of loneliness.  7.
 Personal bearing, appearance, or manner; mien: has an air of gentility.  8.
 airs  Affected manners; haughty pose: gives herself aristocratic airs.  9.
 Music. A melody or tune, esp.: a. The soprano or treble part in a
 harmonized composition. b. A solo with or without accompaniment. 10. Air
 conditioning.   -tr.v.aired airing airs   1. To expose so that air can dry,
 cool, or freshen; ventilate. 2. To give public utterance to; circulate.

       Idiom Section:  in the air. 1. Abroad; prevalent. 2. Uncertain; not
 settled; being thought out or formulated. on offthe air.. Being (or not
 being) broadcast on radio or television. take the air. To go outdoors for
 fresh air; take a short walk or ride. up in the air. 1. Not decided;
 uncertain; in suspense. 2. Agitated or excited; upset; angry. walk on air.
 To feel elated or extremely happy. [ME < OFr. < Lat. aer < Gk. aer.]



 air bag  n.  An automotive safety device consisting of a bag designed to
 inflate upon collision and prevent passengers from pitching forward.



 air base  n.  A base for military aircraft.



 air battery  n.  A rechargeable battery in which current is generated as a
 result of oxidation of metal.



 air bladder  n.  Biology.  1. An air-filled structure near the spinal
 column in many fishes that functions to maintain buoyancy or in some
 species as an aid in respiration or hearing. 2. Any air-filled saclike
 structure, such as one of the dilated parts of the thallus in certain
 seaweeds.



 airboat  n.  A swamp boat.



 airborne  adj.  1. Carried by or through the air: airborne pollen.  2.
 Transported in aircraft: airborne troops.  3. In flight; flying.



 airbrush or air brush   n.  An atomizer using compressed air to spray
 paint or other liquids on a surface   -tr.v.-brushed -brushing -brushes
 To spray with an airbrush.



 airburst  n.  An explosion of a bomb or shell in the atmosphere.



 Airbus   A trademark for a subsonic jet passenger airplane.



 air chamber  n.  1. Any enclosure filled with air for a special purpose.
 2. An air chamber, esp. in a hydraulic system, in which air elastically
 compresses and expands to regulate the flow of a fluid.



 air command  n.  A unit of the U.S. Air Force that is larger than an air
 force.



 air-condition  tr.v. -tioned -tioning -tions   To provide with or
 ventilate by air conditioning.



 air conditioner  n.  Any apparatus for controlling, esp. lowering, the
 temperature and humidity of an enclosure.



 air conditioning  n.  1. The state or condition produced by an air
 conditioner. 2. A system of air conditioners.



 air-cool  tr.v. -cooled -cooling -cools   1. To cool (an engine, for
 example) by a flow of air. 2. To air-condition.



 air corridor  n.  An air route established by international agreement.



 air cover  n.  1. Protective use of military aircraft during ground
 operations. 2. The aircraft used for air cover.



 aircraft  n. pl. aircraft  A machine or device, including airplanes,
 helicopters, gliders, and dirigibles, capable of atmospheric flight.



 aircraft carrier  n.  A large naval ship designed as a mobile air base at
 sea, having a long flat deck on which aircraft can take off and land.



 aircraftsman or aircraftman   n.  A noncommissioned member of the British
 Royal Air Force or the Royal Canadian Air Force.



 air-cushion or air-cushioned   adj.  Of or relating to a vehicle that is
 supported a short distance above the surface of land or water by a cushion
 of forced air.



 air division  n.  A unit of the U.S. Air Force larger than a wing and
 smaller than an air force.



 air door  n.  A temperature-controlled, strong current of air, usually
 directed upward, that is used instead of a door.



 airdrome  n.  1. An airport. 2. A landing field. 3. An airplane hangar.



 airdrop  n.  A delivery, as of supplies or troops, by parachute from
 aircraft in flight.   -tr. -intr.v.-dropped -dropping -drops   To drop from
 an aircraft.



 air-dry  tr.v. -dried -drying -dries   To dry by exposure to the air.
 -adj. Sufficiently dry so that further exposure to air will not evaporate
 moisture.



 Airedale  n.  A large terrier of a breed having rather long legs and a
 wiry tan coat marked with black. [After Airedale, a valley in Yorkshire,
 England.]



 air embolism  n.  An aeroembolism.



 air express  n.  A system of transportation of packages by air.



 airfare  n.  Fare for travel by airplane.



 airfield  n.  1. An airport having hard-surfaced runways where aircraft
 can take off and land. 2. A landing strip.



 airflow  n.  1. A flow of air. 2. The air currents caused by the motion of
 an object such as an airplane or automobile.



 airfoil  n.  An aircraft part or surface, such as a wing, propeller blade,
 or rudder, the shape and orientation of which control stability, direction,
 lift, thrust, or propulsion.



 air force  n.  1. The aviation branch of a country's armed forces, as the
 United States Air Force. 2. A unit of the U.S. Air Force larger than an air
 division and smaller than an air command.



 airframe  n.  An aircraft lacking only its power plant.



 air freight  n.  1. A system of transporting freight by air. 2. The amount
 charged for air freight.



 air gas  n.  Producer gas.



 airglow  n.  A low- or middle-latitude, more or less steady, faint
 photochemical luminescence in the upper atmosphere.



 air gun  n.  A gun discharged by compressed air.



 airhead  n.  An area of hostile or enemy-controlled territory secured by
 paratroops.



 air hole  n.  1. A hole or opening through which gas or air may pass. 2.
 An opening in the frozen surface of a body of water. 3. An air pocket.



 air hunger  n.  The gasping, deep respiration symptomatic of coma and
 diabetic acidosis.



 airing  n.  1. Exposure to air for freshening or drying. 2. Exposure to
 open air for exercise or health-promoting activity. 3. Exposure to public
 notice or attention. 4. A radio or television broadcast.



 air lane  n.  A regular route of travel for aircraft; airway.



 air layering  n.  A method of plant propagation in which a twig or shoot
 attached to the parent plant is wrapped in moist sphagnum moss or
 polyethylene plastic so that it will form roots and can later be removed
 and replanted.



 airless  adj.  1. Without air. 2. Lacking fresh air; stuffy. 3. Without a
 breeze or wind; still.   airlessness n.



 air letter  n.  1. An airmail letter. 2. A sheet of airmail paper that can
 be folded as an envelope with a message inside.



 airlift  n.  A system of transporting troops or supplies by air when
 surface routes are blocked.   -v.-lifted -lifting -lifts   -tr. To
 transport by air, as when ground routes are blocked. -intr. To transport
 supplies or troops by air.



 airline  n.  1.  a. A system for scheduled transport of passengers and
 freight by air. b. A business organization providing such a system of air
 transport. 2. An air route. 3. The shortest distance between two
 geographical points; a direct line; beeline.



 airliner  n.  An airplane adapted for carrying passengers and operated by
 an airline.



 air lock  n.  1. An airtight chamber, usually located between two regions
 of unequal pressure, in which air pressure can be regulated. 2. A bubble or
 pocket of air or vapor, as in a pipe, that stops the normal flow of fluid
 through the conducting part.



 airmail  tr.v. -mailed -mailing -mails   To send (a letter, for example)
 by air mail.   -adj. Of, relating to, or for use with air mail: an airmail
 stamp.



 air mail or airmail   n.  1. The system of conveying mail by aircraft. 2.
 Mail conveyed or to be conveyed by aircraft.



 airman  n.  1. An enlisted man or woman in the U.S. Air Force. 2. An
 enlisted man in the U.S. Navy working with aircraft. 3. An aviator.



 airman basic  n.  An enlisted man of the lowest rank in the U.S. Air
 Force.



 airman first class  n.  An enlisted man in the U.S. Air Force ranking
 above an airman and below a sergeant.



 air mass  n.  A large body of air with only small horizontal variations of
 temperature, pressure, and moisture.



 air mattress  n.  An inflatable airtight sack used as a mattress.



 Air Medal  n.  A decoration awarded by the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Navy
 for meritorious airborne conduct.



 air mile  n.  A unit of distance in air navigation.



 air piracy  n.  The hijacking of an airplane in flight; skyjacking.   air
 pirate n.



 airplane  n.  Any of various winged vehicles capable of flight, generally
 heavier than air and propelled by jet engines or propellers. [Alteration of
 aeroplane, prob. < Fr. aeroplane : aero-, aero- + planer, to glide < plan,
 level < Lat. planus, flat.]



 air plant  n.  An epiphyte.



 airplay  n.  The broadcasting of a record on the air by a radio station.



 air pocket  n.  A downward air current that causes an aircraft to lose
 altitude abruptly.



 air police  n.  Military police of an air force.



 airport  n.  1. A tract of leveled land where aircraft can take off and
 land, usually equipped with hard-surfaced landing strips, a control tower,
 hangars, and accommodations for passengers and cargo. 2. An installation
 similar to an airport in which the landing area is on water.



 airproof  adj.  Impermeable to air.   -tr.v.-proofed -proofing -proofs
 To make impermeable to air.



 air pump  n.  Equipment for compressing, removing, or forcing a flow of
 air.



 air raid  n.  An attack by hostile military aircraft, esp. when armed with
 bombs.



 air rifle  n.  A low-powered rifle, such as a BB gun, that uses manually
 compressed air to fire small pellets.



 air sac  n.  An air-filled space, as one of the spaces in a bird's body
 that forms a connection between the lungs and the bone cavities.



 airscrew  n.  Chiefly British.  The propeller of an airplane.



 air-shed  n.  1. The air supply of a given region. 2. The geographic area
 covered by an air supply. [air + (water)shed.]



 airship  n.  A self-propelled lighter-than-air craft with directional
 control surfaces; dirigible.



 airsick  adj.  Suffering from airsickness.



 airsickness  n.  Nausea and discomfort resulting from nervous tension or
 changes in pressure or motion in an aircraft.



 air sock  n.  A windsock.



 airspace  n.  1. The portion of the atmosphere above a particular land
 area, esp. a nation or other political subdivision. 2. The space occupied
 by an aircraft formation or used in a maneuver.



 air speed  n.  The speed, esp. of an aircraft, relative to the air.



 air splint  n.  An inflatable cylinder used to immobilize fractures and
 sprains of extremities.



 air spray  n.  1. A device for spraying liquids that uses compressed air.
 2. The liquid sprayed by an air spray.



 air spring  n.  An enclosed volume of air that by its resilience acts as a
 spring or shock absorber.



 airstrip  n.  A cleared area serving as an airfield, esp. in an emergency.




 airt  n.  Scots.  One of the cardinal points on the compass; a direction.
 [ME art < Sc. Gael. aird.]



 air taxi  n.  A small aircraft that makes short local flights to areas not
 serviced by regular airlines.



 airtight  adj.  1. Impermeable by air or gas. 2. Having no weak points;
 sound: an airtight excuse.



 airtime  n.  The time that a radio or television station is broadcasting.



 air-to-air missile  n.  A missile, usually guided, designed to be fired
 from aircraft at aircraft.



 air-to-surface missile  n.  A missile, usually guided, designed to be
 fired from aircraft at targets on the ground.



 air vesicle  n.  1. A terminal air sac in the lung, where gas exchange
 takes place in respiration. 2. An air-filled space that aids in flotation
 of many water plants.



 airwaves  pl.n.  The medium used for the transmission of radio and
 television signals.



 airway  n.  1. A passageway or shaft in which air circulates, as in
 ventilating a mine. 2. A designated route of passage for an aircraft; air
 lane.



 airworthy  adj. -thier -thiest   In fit condition to fly: an airworthy
 aircraft.    airworthiness n.



 airy  adj. -ier -iest   1. Having the constitution or nature of air. 2.
 High in the air; lofty. 3. Open to the air; breezy: airy chambers.  4.
 Performed in the air; aerial. 5. Resembling air; immaterial: an airy
 apparition.  6. Impractical; insubstantial; unreal. 7. Speculative;
 imaginative; visionary. 8. Light as air; delicate: an airy veil.  9.
 Displaying lofty nonchalance: dismissing him in an airy manner.  10.
 Light-hearted; gay: an airy mood.    airily adv.   airiness n.



 aisle  n.  1. A part of a church divided laterally from the nave by a row
 of pillars or columns. 2. A passageway between rows of seats, as in an
 auditorium. 3. A passageway, as between counters in a department store. [ME
 ele < OFr., wing of a building < Lat. ala.]



 aitch  n.  The letter h.  [Fr. hache.]



 aitchbone  n.  1. The rump bone in cattle. 2. The cut of meat containing
 the aitchbone. [ME hach-boon < the phrase an hach-boon, an aitchbone,
 alteration of a nachebon : nache, buttock (< OFr. < Lat. natis) + bon, bone
 < OE ban.]



 ajar
 ajar(1)  adv.  -adj. Partially opened: left the door ajar.  [ME on char :
 on, in + char, turn < OE cierr.]
 ajar(2)  adv.  -adj. Not harmonious; jarring: ajar with the times.



 Ajax  n.  Greek Mythology.  1. A warrior of great stature and prowess who
 fought against Troy; son of Telamon of Salamis. 2. A warrior of small
 stature and arrogant character who fought against Troy; son of Ileus of
 Locris. [Lat. < Gk. Aias.]



 akaryocyte  n.  A cell that has no nucleus.



 akee  n.  1. A tropical tree, Blighia sapida, native to Africa, having
 fragrant flowers and capsules containing black seeds. 2. The edible aril
 surrounding the seeds of the akee. [Native word in Liberia.]



 akene  n.  Variant of achene.



 akimbo  adj.  -adv. With the hands on the hips and the elbows bowed
 outward. [ME in kenebowe.]



 akin  adj.  1. Of the same kin; related by blood. 2. Having a similar
 quality or character; analogous. 3.  Linguistics. Cognate.



 Akkadian  n.  1. A native or inhabitant of ancient Akkad. 2. The Semitic
 language of the Akkadians.   Akkadian adj.



 Al   The symbol for the element aluminum.



 al-   Variant of ad-. Used before 1.



 -al
 -al(1)   Of, relating to, or characterized by: parental.  [ME < OFr. < Lat.
 -alis.]
 -al(2)   Action; process: retrieval.  [ME -aille < OFr. < Lat. -alia,
 neuter pl. of -alis, adj. suffix.]
 -al(3)   Aldehyde: citronellal.  [< aldehyde.]



 ala  n. pl. alae  A winglike structure or part, such as an ear lobe, the
 membranous border of some seeds, or one of the side petals of certain
 flowers, such as the sweet pea. [Lat., wing.]



 a la or a la   prep.  In the style or manner of: a poem a la Ogden Nash.
 [Fr., short for a la mode de, in the manner of.]



 alabaster  n.  1. A dense translucent, white or tinted fine-grained
 gypsum. 2. A variety of hard calcite, translucent and sometimes banded. 3.
 A pale yellowish pink to yellowish gray. [ME alabastre < OFr. < Lat.
 alabaster < Gk. alabastros, poss. of Egypt. orig.]



 a la carte  adv.  -adj. With a separate price for each item on the menu.
 [Fr., by the menu.]



 alack or alackaday   interj.  Archaic.  Used to express sorrow, regret, or
 alarm.



 alacrity  n.  1. Cheerful willingness; eagerness. 2. Speed or quickness;
 celerity. [Lat. alacritas < alacer, lively.]   alacritous adj.



 Aladdin  n.  In the Arabian Nights, a boy who acquires a magic lamp and a
 magic ring with which he can summon two jinn to fulfill any desire.



 alae  n.  Plural of ala.



 a la king  adj.  Cooked in a cream sauce with green pepper or pimiento and
 mushrooms.



 alameda  n.  Southwestern U.S.  A promenade or shaded walk, esp. one lined
 with poplars or other shade trees. [Sp. < alamo, poplar, alamo.]



 alamo  n. pl. -mos  Southwestern U.S.  A poplar tree, esp. a cottonwood.
 [Sp. alamo < Lat. alnus, alder and ulmus, elm.]



 alamode  n.  A lustrous plain-weave silk fabric for head coverings and
 scarfs. [< a la mode.]



 a la mode  adj.  1. According to or in style or fashion. 2.  a. Served
 with ice cream, as certain desserts. b. Braised with vegetables and served
 in a rich, brown sauce, as meats. [Fr., in the fashion.]



 alanine  n.  An amino acid, C3H7NO2, that is a constituent of most
 proteins. [G. Alanin, ult. < Aldehyd, aldehyde.]



 alar  adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or having wings or alae. 2. Shaped like
 or resembling a wing. 3.  Anatomy. Pertaining to the armpit; axillary.
 [Lat. alaris < ala, wing.]



 alarm  n.  1. A sudden fear caused by an apprehension or realization of
 danger; fright. 2. A warning of approaching or existing danger. 3. An
 electrical or mechanical device that serves to warn of danger by means of a
 sound or signal. 4. The sounding mechanism of an alarm clock. 5. A call to
 arms.   -tr.v.alarmed alarming alarms   1. To frighten by a sudden
 revelation of danger. 2. To warn of or indicate approaching or existing
 danger. [ME < OFr. alarme < OItal. allarme < all' arme, to arms : alla, to
 (< Lat. ad illam, to that) + arme, arms < Lat. arma.]   alarmable adj.
 alarmingly adv.



 alarm clock  n.  A clock that can be set to sound a bell or buzzer at any
 desired hour.



 alarmist  n.  A person who needlessly alarms or attempts to alarm others,
 as by inventing or spreading false or exaggerated rumors of impending
 danger or catastrophe.   alarmism n.



 alarm reaction  n.  An innate mechanism in animals and man providing a
 response to novel or threatening circumstances.



 alarum  n.  Archaic.  An alarm, esp. a call to arms. [ME alarom, var. of
 alarm, alarm.]



 alary  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to wings. 2. Resembling a wing;
 wing-shaped. [Lat. alarius < ala, wing.]



 alas  interj.  Used to express sorrow, regret, grief, compassion, or
 apprehension of danger or evil.



 alaska  n.  1. A kind of heavy-duty rubberized overshoe. 2.  a. A heavy
 dress and coat fabric of cotton and wool. b. A yarn made of cotton and
 wool. [After Alaska.]



 Alaska cedar  n.  The Nootka cypress.



 Alaskan malamute  n.  The malamute.



 alastor or Alastor   n.  An avenging deity or spirit, the masculine
 personification of Nemesis, frequently evoked in Greek tragedy. [Gk.
 alastor < alastos, unforgettable : a-, not + lathein, to forget.]



 alate or alated   adj.  Biology.  Having thin, winglike extensions or
 parts; winged. [Lat. alatus < ala, wing.]



 alb  n.  A long white linen robe with tapered sleeves worn by a priest at
 Mass. [ME albe < OE < Med. Lat. alba < Lat. albus, white.]



 albacore  n. pl. albacore  or -cores  A large marine fish, Thunnus
 alalunga, of warm seas, having edible flesh that is a major source of
 canned tuna. [Port. albacor < Ar. al-bakrah : al, the + bakr, young camel.]




 Albanian  adj.  Of or pertaining to the People's Republic of Albania, its
 inhabitants, or their language.   -n. 1. A native or inhabitant of Albania.
 2. The Indo-European language of the Albanians.



 albatross  n. pl. albatross  or -trosses  1. Any of various large,
 web-footed birds of the family Diomedeidae, chiefly of the oceans of the
 Southern Hemisphere, having a hooked beak and long, narrow wings. 2. An
 obvious handicap or constant burden. [Prob. alteration of alcatras, pelican
 < Port. or Sp. alcatraz, of Ar. orig. (Sense 2 after the albatross in The
 Rime of the Ancient Mariner by S. T. Coleridge, 1772-1834, which the
 mariner killed and had to wear around his neck as a penance).]



 albedo  n. pl. -dos  The fraction of incident electromagnetic radiation
 reflected by a surface. [LLat., whiteness < Lat. albus, white.]



 albeit  conj.  Although; even though; notwithstanding. [ME, although it
 be.]



 albescent  adj.  Becoming white or moderately white; whitish. [Lat.
 albescens, albescent-, pr.part. of albescere, to become white < albus,
 white.]



 Albigenses  pl.n.  The members of a Catharist religious sect of southern
 France in the 12th and 13th centuries, exterminated for heresy by the
 Inquisition. [Med. Lat., pl. of Albigensis, inhabitant of Albiga, a town in
 southern France where the sect was dominant.]   Albigensian adj.
 Albigensianism n.



 albinism  n.  1. The congenital absence of normal pigmentation in a
 person, animal, or plant. 2. The condition of being an albino. [Fr.
 albinisme < G. Albinismus < Albino, albino.]



 albino  n. pl. -nos  An organism lacking normal pigmentation, as a person
 having abnormally pale skin, very light hair, and lacking normal eye
 coloring, or an animal having white hair or fur and red eyes. [Port. <
 albo, white < Lat. albus.]



 Albion  n.  A literary name for Britain. [Lat.]



 albite  n.  A widely distributed white feldspar, NaAlSi3O8, that is one of
 the common rock-forming plagioclase group. [Swed. albit < Lat. albus,
 white.]   albitic albitical  adj.



 album  n.  1. A book or binder with blank pages for the insertion and
 preservation of collections, as of stamps, photographs, or autographs. 2.
 a. A set of phonograph records stored together in jackets under one
 binding. b. The holder for such records. c. One or more 12-inch
 long-playing records in a slipcase. d. A phonograph record. e. A recording
 of different musical pieces. 3. A printed collection of musical
 compositions, pictures, or literary selections. 4. A tall, handsomely
 printed book, esp. popular in the 19th century, often having a profusion of
 illustrations and short, sentimental texts. [Lat., blank tablet < albus,
 white.]



 albumen  n.  1. A nutritive substance surrounding a developing embryo,
 such as the white of an egg or the material stored in a plant seed. 2.
 Albumin. [Lat. < albus, white.]



 albumin  n.  Any of several simple, water-soluble proteins that are
 coagulated by heat and are found in egg white, blood serum, milk, various
 animal tissues, and many plant juices and tissues. [album(en) + -in.]



 albuminoid or albuminoidal   adj.  Resembling albumin.   -n. Biochemistry.
  Protein.



 albuminous  adj.  Of, like, or pertaining to albumin or albumen.



 albuminuria  n.  The presence of albumin in the urine, sometimes
 indicative of kidney disease.   albuminuric adj.



 albumose  n.  Any of a class of albuminous substances formed by enzymatic
 action on proteins during digestion. [Fr. : albumine, albumin + -ose,
 -ose.]



 alburnum  n.  Sapwood. [Lat. < albus, white.]



 Alcaic  adj.  Of or designating a verse form used in Greek and Latin
 poetry, consisting of strophes having four tetrametric lines.   -n. Verse
 composed in Alcaic strophes. [LLat. Alcaicus, of Alcaeus < Gk. Alkaikos <
 Alkaios, a Greek lyric poet of the 7th cent. b.c.]



 alcaide or alcayde   n.  The commander or governor of a fortress in Spain
 or Portugal. [Sp. < Ar. al-qa'id, the commander < qad, to command.]



 alcalde  n.  The mayor or chief judicial official of a Spanish or
 Spanish-American town. [Sp. < Ar. al-qadi : al, the + qada, to judge.]



 alcayde  n.  Variant of alcaide.



 alcazar  n.  A Spanish palace or fortress, originally one built by the
 Moors. [Sp. alcazar < Ar. alqasr : al, the + qas, camp.]



 Alcestis  n.  Greek Mythology.  The wife of King Admetus of Thessaly, who
 agreed to die in place of her husband and was later rescued from Hades by
 Hercules. [Lat. < Gk. Alkestis.]



 alchemist  n.  A practitioner of alchemy.   alchemistic  alchemistical
 adj.



 alchemize  tr.v. -mized -mizing -mizes   To transform by or as if by
 alchemy.



 alchemy  n.  1. A medieval chemical philosophy having as its asserted aims
 the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of the panacea,
 and the preparation of the elixir of longevity. 2. A seemingly magical
 power or process of transmuting:  that alchemy . . . by which women can
 concoct a subtle poison from ordinary trifles (Hawthorne). [ME alkamie <
 OFr. alquemie < Med. Lat. alchymia < Ar. al-kimiya : al, the + kimiya,
 alchemy < LGk. khemeia, perh. < Gk. Khemia, Egypt, of Egypt. orig.]
 alchemical alchemic  adj.   alchemically adv.



 Alcinous  n.  Greek Mythology.  A king of Phaeacia, father of Nausicaa,
 who entertained Odysseus. [Lat. < Gk. Alkinoos.]



 Alcmene  n.  Greek Mythology.  Amphitryon's wife, who gave birth to
 Hercules after being seduced by Zeus. [Lat. < Gk. Alkmene.]



 alcohol  n.  1. A colorless volatile flammable liquid, C2H5OH, synthesized
 or obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches and widely used, either
 pure or denatured, as a solvent, in drugs, cleaning solutions, explosives,
 and intoxicating beverages. 2. Intoxicating liquor containing alcohol. 3.
 Any of a series of hydroxyl compounds, the simplest of which are derived
 from saturated hydrocarbons, have the general formula CnH2n+1OH, and
 include ethanol and methanol. [Med. Lat., antimony < Ar. al-kohl : al, the
 + kohl, antimony.]



 alcoholic  adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or resulting from alcohol. 2.
 Containing or preserved in alcohol. 3. Suffering from alcoholism.   -n. A
 person who drinks alcoholic liquors habitually and to excess or who suffers
 from alcoholism.



 alcoholicity  n.  Alcoholic content.



 alcoholism  n.  1. The compulsive consumption of and psycho-physiological
 dependence on alcoholic beverages. 2. A chronic pathological condition,
 chiefly of the nervous and gastroenteric systems, caused by habitual
 excessive alcoholic consumption. 3. Temporary mental disturbance, muscular
 incoordination, and paresis caused by excessive alcoholic consumption.



 alcoholize  tr.v. -ized -izing -izes   To saturate, mix, or treat with
 alcohol.   alcoholization n.



 alcoholometer  n.  A hydrometer for determining the percentage of alcohol
 in liquids.



 Alcoran  n.  The Koran.



 alcove  n.  1. A recess or partly enclosed extension connected to or
 forming part of a room. 2. A secluded bower or similar enclosed structure
 in a garden. [Fr. alcove < Sp. alcoba < Ar. al-qubbah : al, the + qubbah,
 vault.]



 Alcyone  n.  1.  Greek Mythology. The daughter of Aeolus who, in grief
 over the death of her husband Ceyx, threw herself into the sea and was
 changed into a kingfisher. 2.  Greek Mythology. A nymph, one of the
 Pleiades. 3.  Astronomy. The brightest star in the Pleiades, in the
 constellation Taurus. [Lat. < Gk. Alkuone.]



 Aldebaran  n.  A double star in the constellation Taurus, one of the
 brightest stars in the sky, 68 light-years from Earth. [Med. Lat. < Ar.
 al-dabaran : al, the + dabaran, following < dabar, to follow.]



 aldehyde  n.  1. Any of a class of highly reactive organic chemical
 compounds obtained by oxidation of primary alcohols, characterized by the
 common group CHO, and used in the manufacture of resins, dyes, and organic
 acids. 2. Acetaldehyde. [G. Aldehyd < NLat., short for alcohol
 dehydrogenatum, dehydrogenized alcohol.]



 al dente  adj.  -adv. Cooked enough to be firm but not soft: pasta al
 dente.  [Ital.]



 alder  n.  Any of various deciduous shrubs or trees of the genus Alnus,
 growing in cool, moist places, and having reddish wood used in cabinet
 work. [ME < OE alor.]



 alderman  n.  1. In many town and city governments, a member of the
 municipal legislative body. 2. In England and Ireland, a member of the
 higher branch of the municipal or borough council. 3. In Anglo-Saxon
 England: a. A lord or prince. b. The chief officer of a shire. [ME, a
 person of high rank < OE ealdorman : ealdor, chief (< eald, old) + man,
 man.]   aldermancy n.   aldermanic adj.



 Alderney  n. pl. -neys  One of a breed of small dairy cattle originally
 raised in the Channel Islands. [After Alderney, one of the Channel
 Islands.]



 aldol  n.  A thick colorless to pale-yellow liquid, C4H8O2, obtained from
 acetaldehyde and used to make perfumes and in ore flotation. [ald(ehyde) +
 -ol1.]



 aldolase  n.  An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of a fructose ester
 into triose sugars.



 aldose  n.  Chemistry.  Any of a class of monosaccharide sugars containing
 an aldehyde group. [ald(ehyde) + -ose1.]



 aldosterone  n.  A steroid hormone that is secreted by the adrenal cortex
 and serves as a regulator of the salt and water balance in the body.
 [ald(ehyde) + ster(ol) + -one.]



 aldrin  n.  An insecticide containing a naphthalene-derived compound,
 C12H8CI6. [After Kurt Alder (1902-1958).]



 ale  n.  A fermented alcoholic beverage containing malt and hops, similar
 to but heavier than beer. [ME < OE ealu.]



 aleatory  adj.  1. Dependent upon chance, luck, or an uncertain outcome.
 2. Of or pertaining to gambling. 3. aleatoric   Music. Using or consisting
 of sound sequences played at random or arrived at by chance, as by throwing
 dice. [Lat. aleatorius < aleator, gambler < alea, dice.]



 Alecto  n.  Greek Mythology.  One of the Furies. [Lat. < Gk. Alekto.]



 alee  adv.  Nautical.  At, on, or to the leeward side.



 alef  n.  Variant of aleph.



 alegar  n.  Vinegar produced by the fermentation of ale. [ME : ale, ale +
 egre, sharp < OFr. < Lat. acer.]



 alehouse  n.  A place where ale is sold and served.



 Alemanni  pl.n.  A group of Germanic tribes that settled in Alsace and
 nearby areas during the fourth century  A.D. and were defeated by the
 Franks in 496. [Lat., of Germanic orig.]



 Alemannic  n.  A group of High German dialects spoken in Alsace,
 Switzerland, and parts of southern Germany.   -adj. Of or pertaining to the
 Alemanni or their language.



 alembic  n.  1. An apparatus formerly used for distilling. 2. Something
 that purifies, alters, or transforms by a process comparable to
 distillation. [ME alambic < OFr. < Med. Lat. alembicus < Ar. al-anbiq : al,
 the + anbiq, still < Gk. ambix, cup.]



 aleph or alef   n.  The 1st letter of the Hebrew alphabet. See table at
 alphabet. [Heb. aleph < eleph, ox.]



 aleph-null  n.  The first transfinite number.



 alert  adj.  1. Vigilantly attentive; watchful: alert to danger.  2.
 Mentally responsive and perceptive; quick. 3. Brisk or lively in action.
 -n. 1. A warning signal of attack or danger, esp. a siren warning of an air
 raid. 2. The period of time during which an alert is in effect.
 -tr.v.alerted alerting alerts   To notify of approaching danger or action;
 warn.

       Idiom Section:  on the alert. . Watchful and prepared for danger or
 emergency. [Fr. alerte < Ital. all'erta, on the watch : alla, to (< Lat. ad
 illam, to that) + erta, watch, p.part. of ergere, to raise < Lat. erigere.]




 aleurone or aleuron   n.  Protein consisting of minute granules, forming
 the outermost layer of the endosperm in cereal grains. [G. Aleuron < Gk.
 aleuron, meal.]   aleuronic adj.



 Aleut  n. pl. Aleut  or Aleuts  1. An Eskimo native of the Aleutian
 Islands. 2. The language of the Aleuts. [R.]



 Aleutian  adj.  Of or pertaining to the Aleuts, their language, or their
 culture.



 alewife
 alewife(1)  n.  A fish, Alosa pseudoharengus, closely related to the
 herrings, of North American Atlantic waters and some inland lakes. [Perh. <
 alewife2.]
 alewife(2)  n.  A woman who keeps an alehouse.



 alexander or Alexander   n.  A cocktail made with creme de cacao, sweet
 cream, and brandy or gin. [From the name Alexander.]



 Alexandrian  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to Alexander the Great. 2. Of or
 pertaining to Alexandria, Egypt. 3. Of, characteristic of, or designating a
 learned school of Hellenistic literature, science, and philosophy located
 at Alexandria in the last three centuries  B.C.



 alexandrine or Alexandrine   n.  A line of English verse composed in
 iambic hexameter, usually with a caesura after the third foot, such as
 Pope's example: That like a wounded snake drags its slow length along.
 -adj. Of, pertaining to, or composed in alexandrines. [Fr. alexandrin <
 OFr. < Alexandre, title of a romance about Alexander the Great (356-323
 B.C.) that was written in this meter.]



 alexandrite  n.  A greenish chrysoberyl that appears red in artificial
 light, used as a gemstone. [G. Alexandrit, after Alexander I (1777-1825),
 Czar of Russia.]



 alexia  n.  A disorder in which cerebral lesions cause loss of the ability
 to read. [NLat. : a-1 + Gk. lexis, speech < legein, to speak.]



 alexipharmic  adj.  Preventing or resisting effects of poison or
 infection; antidotal; prophylactic.   -n. An antidote. [< Gk.
 alexipharmakos : alexein, to ward off + pharmakon, poison.]



 alfalfa  n.  A plant, Medicago sativa, native to Eurasia, having compound
 leaves with three leaflets and clusters of small purple flowers, widely
 cultivated for forage and used as a commercial source of chlorophyll. [Sp.
 < Ar. al-fasfasah.]



 alfilaria or alfileria   n.  A plant, Erodium cicutarium, native to Europe
 but widely naturalized in North America, having finely divided leaves and
 small pink or purplish flowers. [Mex. Sp. alfilerillo < Sp., dim. of
 alfiler, pin < Ar. al-khilal, the spine.]



 alforja  n.  Western U.S.  A canvas or leather saddlebag. [Sp. < Ar.
 al-khorj, the supply.]



 alfresco  adv.  In the fresh air; outdoors.   -adj. Taking place outdoors;
 outdoor. [Ital. al fresco, in the fresh (air) : a il, in the + fresco,
 fresh.]



 alga  n. pl. -gae  Any of various primitive, chiefly aquatic, one-celled
 or multicellular plants that lack true stems, roots, and leaves but usually
 contain chlorophyll. Included among the algae are kelps and other seaweeds,
 and the diatoms. [Lat., seaweed.]   algal adj.



 algarroba or algaroba   n.  1. The mesquite. 2. The carob. 3.
 The edible pod of either the mesquite or carob tree. [Sp. < Ar.
 al-kharrubah.]



 algebra  n.  1. A generalization of arithmetic in which symbols, usually
 letters of the alphabet, represent numbers or members of a specified set of
 numbers and are related by operations that hold for all numbers in the set.
 2. A set together with operations defined in the set that obey specified
 laws. [ME < Med. Lat. < Ar. al-jebr, the (science of) reuniting : al, the +
 jabr, reunification.]   algebraist n.



 algebraic  adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or designating algebra. 2.
 Designating an expression, equation, or function in which only numbers,
 letters, and arithmetic operations are contained or used. 3. Indicating or
 restricted to a finite number of algebraic operations.   algebraically adv.




 algebraic language  n.  A computer language whose statements are designed
 to resemble algebraic expressions.



 algebraic logic  n.  The sequence of operations wherein a problem is
 entered into a calculator or computer in the order in which it would be
 written by hand.



 algebraic number  n.  A number that is a root of a polynomial equation
 with rational coefficients.



 -algia   Pain: neuralgia.  [Gk. < algos, pain.]



 algicide  n.  A chemical agent added to water to destroy algae. [alg(a) +
 -cide.]



 algid  adj.  Cold; chilly. [Fr. algide < Lat. algidus < algere, to be
 cold.]   algidity n.



 algin  n.  A gelatinous substance obtained from certain algae, esp. the
 giant kelp, and used as a thickener and emulsifier. [alg(a) + -in.]



 algo-   Pain: algometer.  [Gk. < algos, pain.]



 algoid  adj.  Of or resembling algae.



 Algol  n.  A double, eclipsing variable star in the constellation Perseus,
 almost as bright as Polaris. [Ar. al-ghul, the ghoul. -see ghoul.]



 ALGOL  n.  An arithmetic language by which numerical procedures may be
 precisely presented to a computer in a standard form. [alg(orithmic)
 o(riented) l(anguage).]



 algolagnia  n.  Sexual gratification derived from inflicting or
 experiencing pain. [NLat. : algo- + Gk. lagneia, lust.]   algolagnic adj.
 algolagnist n.



 algology  n.  The study of algae. [alg(a) + -logy.]   algological adj.
 algologically adv.   algologist n.



 algometer  n.  An apparatus for determining sensitivity to pain caused by
 pressure.   algometric algometrical  adj.   algometry n.



 Algonkian  n. pl. Algonkian  or -ans  1.  Geology. Formerly, late
 Proterozoic. 2. Variant of Algonquian. [After the Algonkin (Algonquin)
 Indians.]



 Algonkin  n. pl. Algonkin  or -kins  Variant of Algonquin.



 Algonquian or Algonkian   n. pl. Algonquian  or -ans  Algonkian  or -ans
 1. A family of North American Indian languages spoken in an area from
 Labrador to the Carolinas between the Atlantic coast and the Rocky
 Mountains. 2. A member of a tribe using an Algonquian language. [<
 Algonquin.]   Algonquian adj.



 Algonquin or Algonkin   n. pl. Algonquin  or -quins  Algonkin  or -kins
 1. Any of several North American Indian tribes formerly inhabiting the
 region along the Ottawa River and near the northern tributaries of the St.
 Lawrence River. 2. The Algonquian language of the Algonquins. 3. An Indian
 of the Algonquin tribes. [Canadian Fr.]



 algophobia  n.  Abnormal fear of pain.



 algorism  n.  The Arabic system of numeration; the decimal system. [ME
 algorisme < OFr. < Med. Lat. algorismus, after Muhammad ibn-Musa
 Al-Kharzimi (780-850?).]



 algoristic  adj.  Yielding an exact answer, as a computational system
 guaranteeing accurate solution. [< algorism.]



 algorithm  n.  Mathematics.  A mechanical or recursive computational
 procedure. [Var. of algorism.]   algorithmic adj.



 algorithmic language  n.  An arithmetic language presenting numerical
 procedures to a computer in standard form.



 alias  n.  1. An assumed name. 2.  Electronics. A false signal in
 telecommunication links from beats between signal frequency and sampling
 frequency.   -adv. Otherwise named: Johnson, alias Rogers.  [Lat.,
 otherwise < alius, other.]



 Ali Baba  n.  In the Arabian Nights, a poor woodcutter who gains entrance
 to the treasure cave of the forty thieves by saying the magic words "Open,
 Sesame!"



 alibi  n. pl. -bis  1.  Law. A form of defense whereby a defendant
 attempts to prove that he was elsewhere when the crime in question was
 committed. 2.  Informal. An excuse.   -intr.v.-bied -biing -bis   Informal.
  To make an excuse for oneself. [Lat., elsewhere : alius, other +ubi,
 where.]

      Usage: Alibi  (noun) in its nonlegal sense of "an excuse" is
 acceptable in written usage to almost half of the Usage Panel. As an
 intransitive verb (they never alibi ), it is unacceptable in written usage
 to a large majority of the Panel.



 alible  adj.  Having nutrients; nourishing. [Lat. alibilis < alere, to
 nourish.]



 alicyclic  adj.  Chemistry.  Of, pertaining to, or designating chemical
 compounds having both aliphatic and cyclic characteristics or structures.
 [ali(phatic) + cyclic.]



 alidade or alidad   n.  1. An indicator or sighting apparatus on a plane
 table, used in angular measurement. 2. A topographic surveying and mapping
 instrument with a telescope and graduated vertical circle. [Fr. < Med. Lat.
 allidada < al-'idada, revolving radius of a circle < 'adud, upper arm.]



 alien  adj.  1. Owing political allegiance to another country or
 government; foreign. 2. Belonging to, characteristic of, or derived from
 another country, place, society, or person; strange. 3. Being inconsistent
 or opposed; repugnant: Lying is alien to his nature.    -n. 1. An
 unnaturalized foreign resident of a country. 2. A member of another family,
 people, region, or country. 3. An outsider. 4.  Slang. A creature from
 outer space. 5.  Ecology. A plant native to one region but naturalized in
 another.   -tr.v.-ened -ening -ens   To transfer (property) to another. [ME
 < OFr. < Lat. alienus < alius, other.]



 alienable  adj.  Law.  Capable of being transferred to the ownership of
 another.   alienability n.



 alienage  n.  The status of being an alien.



 alienate  tr.v. -ated -ating -ates   1. To cause to become unfriendly or
 indifferent; estrange: alienate a friend.  2. To remove or dissociate
 (oneself, for example):  man cannot alienate himself from his own
 consciousness (Wylie Sypher). 3. To cause to be transferred; turn away:  he
 succeeded . . . in alienating the affections of my only ward (Oscar Wilde).
 4.  Law. To transfer (property) to the ownership of another. [Lat.
 alienare, alienat < alienus, alien.]   alienator n.



 alienation  n.  1. The condition of being alienated; isolation. 2.
 Psychology. A state of estrangement between the self and the objective
 world, or between different parts of the personality. 3.  Law. The act of
 transferring property or title to it to another.



 alienee  n.  Law.  A person to whom ownership of property is transferred.



 alienism  n.  Alienage.



 alienist  n.  Law.  A physician who has been accepted by a court as an
 expert on the mental competence of principals or witnesses appearing before
 it. [Fr. alieniste < aliene, insane < Lat. alienatus, p.part. of alienare,
 to deprive of reason. -see alienate.]



 alienor  n.  Law.  A person who transfers ownership of property to
 another.



 aliesterase  n.  An esterase contributing to ester-link hydrolysis,
 particularly in aliphatic esters. [ali(phatic) + esterase.]



 aliform  adj.  Shaped like a wing; alar. [Lat. ala, wing + -form.]



 alight
 alight(1)  intr.v. alighted  or alit  or alighting  or alights   1. To come
 down and settle, as after flight. 2. To dismount. 3.  Archaic. To come upon
 by chance. [ME alighten < OE alihtan : a- (intensive) + lihtan, to relieve
 of a burden < liht, light.]
 alight(2)  adj.  1. Burning; lighted. 2. Illuminated; lit up. [ME, p.part.
 of alighten, to set on fire < OE alihtan : a- (intensive) + lihtan, to
 shine < leoht, a light.]   alight adv.



 align or aline   v. aligned aligning aligns  or alined  or alining  or
 alines   -tr. 1. To arrange in a line. 2. To adjust (parts of a mechanism,
 for example) to produce a proper relationship or condition. 3. To ally
 (oneself, for example) with one side of an argument or cause. -intr. To
 fall into line. [Fr. aligner < OFr. : a-, to (< Lat. ad-) + ligne, line <
 Lat. linea.]   aligner n.



 alignment or alinement   n.  1. Arrangement or position in a straight
 line. 2. The process of aligning a device or mechanism or the condition of
 a device or mechanism being aligned. 3. A ground plan. 4. The act of
 aligning or the condition of being aligned.



 alike  adj.  Having close resemblance; similar:  All good books are alike
 (Hemingway).   -adv. In the same manner or to the same degree: They dress
 and walk alike.  [ME ilike < OE gelic.]   alikeness n.



 aliment  n.  1. Food or nourishment. 2. Something that supports or
 sustains.   -tr.v. -mented -menting -ments   To supply with food or other
 sustenance. [ME < Lat. alimentum < alere, to nourish.]   alimental adj.
 alimentally adv.



 alimentary  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to food or nutrition. 2. Providing
 nourishment.



 alimentary canal  n.  The mucous membrane-lined tube of the digestive
 system, extending from the mouth to the anus and including the pharynx,
 esophagus, stomach, and intestines.



 alimentation  n.  1. The act or process of giving or receiving
 nourishment. 2. Support; sustenance.   alimentative adj.



 alimony  n. pl. -nies  1.  Law. An allowance for support made under court
 order and usually given by a man to his former wife after a divorce or
 legal separation. 2. A means of livelihood maintenance. [Lat. alimonia,
 sustenance < alere, to nourish.]



 aline  v.  Variant of align.



 A-line  adj.  Having a fitted top and a flared bottom: an A-line dress.
 [From garments being shaped like a capital A.]



 alinement  n.  Variant of alignment.



 aliphatic  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or designating organic chemical
 compounds in which the carbon atoms are linked in open chains rather than
 rings. [< Gk. aleiphar, aleiphat-, oil.]



 aliquot  adj.  1.  Mathematics. Of, pertaining to, or designating an exact
 divisor or factor of a quantity, esp. of an integer. 2. Contained exactly
 or an exact number of times. [Fr. aliquote < Lat. aliquot, some number :
 alius, some + quot, how many.]



 alit  v.  A past tense and past participle of alight1.



 alive  adj.  1. Having life; living. 2. In existence or operation; active:
 keep your hopes alive.  3. Full of life; lively. 4. Now living. Used as an
 intensive: the strongest man alive.

       Idiom Section:  alive to. Aware of; sensitive to: alive to the moods
 of others.  alive with. Swarming with: a country alive with opportunity.
 [ME < on live : on, in (< OE) + live, life < OE lif.]   aliveness n.



 aliyah  n.  Immigration of Jewish people into Israel. [Heb. "aliyah,
 ascent.]



 alizarin or alizarine   n.  An orange-red compound, C14H8O4, used in dyes.
 [Fr. alizarine < alizari, madder root < Sp., prob. < Ar. al-'asarah, the
 juice pressed out.]



 alkahest  n.  The hypothetical universal solvent once sought by
 alchemists. [Med. Lat. alchahest.]



 alkalescent  adj.  Becoming alkaline; slightly alkaline. [alkal(i) +
 -escent.]   alkalescence  alkalescency n.



 alkali  n. pl. -lis  or -lies  1.  Chemistry. A carbonate or hydroxide of
 an alkali metal, the aqueous solution of which is bitter, slippery,
 caustic, and characteristically basic in reactions. 2. Any of various
 soluble mineral salts found in natural water and arid soils. 3. An alkali
 metal. [ME < Med. Lat. < Ar. al-qualiy, the ashes < qalay, to fry.]



 alkalify  tr.  -intr.v.-fied -fying -fies   To make or become alkaline.



 alkali metal  n.  Any of a group of soft, white, low-density, low-melting,
 highly reactive metallic elements, including lithium, sodium, potassium,
 rubidium, cesium, and francium.



 alkalimeter  n.  An apparatus for measuring alkalinity.   alkalimetry n.



 alkaline  adj.  1. Of, relating to, or containing an alkali. 2. Having a
 pH greater than 7.



 alkaline earth  n.  1. An oxide of an alkaline-earth metal. 2. An
 alkaline-earth metal.



 alkaline-earth metal  n.  Any of a group of metallic elements, esp.
 calcium, strontium, and barium, but generally including beryllium,
 magnesium, and radium.



 alkalinity  n.  The alkali concentration or alkaline quality of an
 alkali-containing substance.



 alkalize or alkalinize   v. -lized -lizing -lizes  or -ized  or -izing  or
 -izes   -tr. To make alkaline. -intr. To become an alkali.   alkalization
 n.



 alkaloid  n.  Any of various physiologically active, nitrogen-containing
 organic bases derived from plants, including nicotine, quinine, cocaine,
 atropine, and morphine. [alkal(i) + -oid.]   alkaloidal adj.



 alkalosis  n.  Pathologically high alkali content in the blood and
 tissues. [alkal(i) + -osis.]



 alkane  n.  A paraffin. [alk(yl) + -ane.]



 alkanet  n.  1.  a. A European plant, Alkanna tinctoria, the roots of
 which yield a red dye. b. The root of this plant or a dye prepared from it.
 2. Any of several hairy plants of the genus Anchusa, native to the Old
 World, having clusters of blue flowers. 3. The puccoon. [ME < Sp. alcaneta,
 dim. of alcana, henna < Med. Lat. alchanna < Ar. al-hinna', the henna.]



 alkene  n.  An olefin. [alk(yl) + -ene.]



 alkine  n.  Variant of alkyne.



 alkyd or alkyd resin   n.  A widely used durable synthetic resin derived
 from glycerol and phthalic anhydride. [alky(l) + (aci)d.]



 alkyl  n.  Chemistry.  A monovalent radical, such as ethyl or propyl,
 having the general formula CnH2n + 1. [G. Alkohol, alcohol + -yl.]



 alkylation  n.  Chemistry.  A process in which an alkyl group is added to
 or substituted in a compound, as in the reaction of olefins with paraffin
 hydrocarbons to make high-octane fuels.



 alkyne or alkine   n.  Any of a group of open-chain hydrocarbons with a
 triple bond and the general formula CnH2n-2. [alky(l) + -(i)ne2.]



 all  adj.  1. The total entity or extent of: all Christendom.  2. The
 entire or total number, amount, or quantity of: all the saints.  3. The
 utmost possible of: in all truth.  4. Every: all manner; all kinds.  5. Any
 whatsoever: beyond all doubt.  6. Nothing but; only: He was all skin and
 bones.    -pron. 1. Each and every one: All were drowned.  2. Each and
 every thing: Ten ships sailed and all returned.    -n. 1. Everything one
 has: He gave his all.  2. The whole number; totality.   -adv. 1. Wholly;
 entirely; completely: She is all wrong.  2. Each; apiece: a score of five
 all.  3. Exclusively: The cake is all for him.

       Idiom Section:  all but. Nearly; almost. all in. Informal.  Tired;
 exhausted. all in all. Everything being taken into account. at all. 1. In
 any and every way. 2. To any extent; whatever. for all. In spite of;
 despite. [ME al < OE all.]

      Usage: Constructions like all us students  are somewhat more informal
 than the corresponding all of us students.  The construction all that  is
 used informally in questions and negative sentences to mean "to the degree
 expected," as in The film was not all that exciting.  A majority of the
 Usage Panel finds examples like these to be unacceptable in formal writing.



 all-   Variant of allo-.



 alla breve  adv.  -adj. Music.  In duple or quadruple meter with the half
 note being the unit of time. [Ital., according to the breve.]



 Allah  n.  The supreme being in the Moslem religion. [Ar. Allah : al, the
 + Ilah, god.]



 allamanda or allamande   n.  Any of several woody vines of the genus
 Allamanda, native to tropical America, having showy, funnel-shaped yellow
 flowers. [NLat. Allamanda, genus name, after Jean N. S. Allamand
 (1713-1787).]



 all-American  adj.  1.  a. Representative of the best of its kind in the
 United States. b.  Sports. Chosen as the best amateur in the United States
 at a particular position or event. 2. Composed of Americans or American
 materials exclusively. 3. Entirely within the territorial limits of the
 United States. 4. Of all the Americas.   -n. All-American  An all-American
 athlete.



 allantoid or allantoidal   adj.  1. Of or having an allantois. 2. Shaped
 like a sausage.   -n. The allantois.



 allantois  n. pl. allantoides  A membranous sac that develops from the
 hindgut in the embryos of mammals, birds, and reptiles. In mammals it takes
 part in the formation of the umbilical cord and the placenta. [NLat. < Gk.
 allantoeides, sausage-shaped : allas, sausage + eidos, shape.]   allantoic
 adj.



 all-around or all-round   adj.  1. Comprehensive in extent or depth:
 all-around vocational training.  2. Able to do many or all things well;
 versatile: an all-around student.



 allay  tr.v. -layed -laying -lays   1. To lessen or relieve (pain or
 grief, for example); reduce the intensity of. 2. To calm or pacify; set to
 rest. [ME aleien < OE alecgan : a- (intensive) + lecgan, to lay.]   allayer
 n.



 all clear  n.  1. A signal, usually by siren, that an air raid is over. 2.
 An expression that signifies absence of immediate obstacles or impending
 danger.



 allegation  n.  1. Something alleged. 2. The act of alleging. 3. A
 statement offered without proof, such as an excuse or plea. 4.  Law. An
 assertion made by a party that must be proved or supported with evidence.
 [Fr. allegation < Lat. allegatio < allegare, to adduce : ad-, to + legare,
 to depute.]



 allege  tr.v. -leged -leging -leges   1. To assert to be true; affirm;
 declare. 2. To assert without proof. 3. To state (a plea or excuse, for
 example) in support or denial of a claim or accusation. 4.  Archaic. To
 cite or quote, as in confirmation. [ME alleggen < OFr. alegier < esligier,
 to disengage < LLat. *exlitigare : Lat. ex-, out + Lat. litigare, to sue.]
  allegeable adj.   alleger n.



 alleged  adj.  Represented as existing or as being as described but not so
 proved; supposed: an alleged infringement of regulations.    allegedly adv.


      Usage: An alleged  burglar is someone who is said to be a burglar but
 against whom no charges have yet been proved. An alleged  incident is an
 event that is said to have taken place but which has not yet been verified.
 In their zeal to protect the rights of the accused, newspapers and
 law-enforcement officials sometimes misuse alleged.  A man arrested for
 murder may be only an alleged  murderer, for example, but he is a real, not
 an alleged,  suspect in that his status as a suspect is not in doubt.
 Similarly, if a murder is known to have taken place, there is nothing
 alleged about the crime.



 Allegheny spurge  n.  A low-growing, shrubby plant, Pachysandra
 procumbens, of the southeastern United States, having evergreen leaves and
 spikes of white or purplish flowers. [After the Allegheny Mountains.]



 Allegheny vine  n.  The climbing fumitory.



 allegiance  n.  1. Loyalty or the obligation of loyalty, as to a nation,
 sovereign, or cause. 2. The obligations of a vassal to his overlord. [ME
 alligeaunce < OFr. ligeance < lige, liege. -see liege.]   allegiant adj.



 allegoric or allegorical   adj.  Pertaining to, characteristic of, or
 containing allegory.   allegorically adv.



 allegorize  v. -rized -rizing -rizes   -tr. 1. To express as or in the
 form of an allegory. 2. To interpret allegorically. -intr. To use or make
 allegory.   allegorization n.   allegorizer n.



 allegory  n. pl. -ries  1.  a. A literary, dramatic, or pictorial device
 in which each literal character, object, and event represents a symbol
 illustrating an idea or moral or religious principle. b. An instance of
 such representation. 2. A symbolic representation. [ME allegorie < Lat.
 allegoria < Gk. < allegorein, to interpret allegorically : allos, other +
 agoreuein, to speak.]   allegorist n.



 allegretto  Music.  adv.  In quick tempo; slower than allegro but faster
 than andante. Used as a direction.   -n.pl. -tos  An allegro movement or
 passage. [Ital., dim. of allegro, allegro.]   allegretto adj.



 allegro  Music.  adv.  In rapid tempo; faster than allegretto but slower
 than presto. Used as a direction.   -n.pl. -gros  An allegretto movement or
 passage. [Ital., lively < Lat. alacer.]   allegro adj.



 allele  n.  Any of a group of possible mutational forms of a gene. [G.
 Allel, short for Allelomorph, allelomorph.]   allelic adj.   allelism n.



 allelomorph  n.  An allele. [Gk. allelon, mutually (< allos, other) +
 -morph.]   allelomorphic adj.   allelomorphism n.



 alleluia  interj.  Hallelujah. [ME < Med. Lat. alleluja < LGk. allelouia <
 Heb. halleluyah.]



 allemande  n.  1.  a. A stately 16th-century dance in 2/2 time. b. A
 musical composition written to or as if to accompany this dance, often used
 as the first movement of a suite. 2. A lively, late 18th-century dance in
 3/4 time. [Fr., fem. of allemand, German < Lat. Alemanni, an ancient
 Germanic tribe.]



 Allentiac  n. pl. Allentiac  or -acs  1. A tribe of South American Indians
 inhabiting west-central Argentina. 2. A member of the Allentiac. 3. The
 language of the Allentiac. [Sp.]   Allentiac adj.



 allergen  n.  A substance that causes an allergy. [G. Allergen : Allergie,
 allergy + -gen, -gen.]   allergenic adj.



 allergic  adj.  1. Characteristic of or concerning allergy. 2. Having an
 allergy. 3.  Informal. Having a dislike; averse: allergic to work.



 allergist  n.  A physician specializing in allergies.



 allergy  n. pl. -gies  1. Hypersensitive or pathological reaction to
 environmental factors or substances, such as pollens, foods, dust, or
 microorganisms, in amounts that do not affect most people. 2. Anaphylaxis.
 3.  Informal. An adverse sentiment; antipathy. [G. Allergie : Gk. allos,
 other + Gk. ergon, effect.]



 allethrin  n.  A synthetic insecticide, C19H26O3, similar to pyrethrin.
 [all(yl) + (pyr)ethrin.]



 alleviate  tr.v. -ated -ating -ates   To make more bearable; reduce:
 taking drugs to alleviate the pain.  [LLat. alleviare, alleviat-, to
 lighten : Lat. ad-, to + levis, light.]   alleviation n.   alleviator n.



 alleviative or alleviatory   adj.  Promoting alleviation.



 alley
 alley(1)  n. pl. -leys  1. A narrow street or passageway between or behind
 city buildings. 2. A path between flowerbeds or trees in a garden or park.
 3. A bowling alley. 4. The parallel lanes on either side of a tennis court
 reserved for use in doubles matches.

       Idiom Section:  up one's alley. Slang.  Compatible with one's
 interests or qualifications. [ME alei < OFr. alee < aller, to walk < Lat.
 ambulare.]
 alley(2)  n. pl. -leys  A large playing marble, often used as the shooter.
 [Short for alabaster.]



 alley cat  n.  1. A homeless cat; stray. 2. A domestic cat with no known
 ancestry.



 alleyway  n.  A narrow passage between buildings.



 all-fired  adj.  Slang.  Extreme; excessive.   -adv. Slang.  Extremely;
 excessively. [Alteration of hell-fired.]



 All Fools' Day  n.  April Fools' Day.



 all fours  n.  1. All four limbs of an animal or person: A baby crawls on
 all fours.  2. Seven-up.



 all hail  interj.  Archaic.  All health.



 Allhallowmas or Allhallows   n.  All Saints' Day.



 all-heal  n.  Any of several plants reputed to have healing powers, as the
 self-heal.



 alliaceous  adj.  Characteristic of onions or garlic, esp. in odor or
 taste. [Lat. allium, garlic + -aceous.]



 alliance  n.  1.  a. A formal pact of union or confederation between
 nations in a common cause. b. The nations so conjoined. 2. A union,
 relationship, or connection by kinship, marriage, or common interest. 3. A
 union or congruence of quality or type; affinity. 4. The act of becoming or
 the state of being allied. [ME < OFr. aliance < alier, to ally.]



 allied  adj.  1. Joined or united in a close relationship. 2. Of a similar
 nature; related: allied studies.  3. Allied. Of or pertaining to the
 Allies.



 Allies  pl.n.  1. In World War I, the nations allied against the Central
 Powers of Europe. They were Russia, France, Great Britain, and later many
 others, including the United States. 2. In World War II, the nations,
 primarily Great Britain, Russia, and the United States, allied against the
 Axis.



 alligator  n.  1. Either of two large, amphibious reptiles, Alligator
 mississipiensis, of the southeastern United States, or A. sinensis, of
 China, having sharp teeth and powerful jaws, and differing from crocodiles
 in having a broader, shorter snout. 2. Leather made from the hide of an
 alligator. 3. A tool or fastener having strong, adjustable jaws often
 toothed. [< Sp. el lagarto, the lizard : el, the (< Lat. ille, that) +
 lagarto, lizard < Lat. lacertus.]



 alligatoring  n.  The formation of cracks on the surface of paint layers.
 [From the resemblance of the cracks to the pattern of an alligator's
 scales.]



 alligator pear  n.  The avocado.



 alligator snapping turtle or alligator snapper   n.  A large freshwater
 turtle, Macroclemys temmincki, of the south-central United States, having a
 rough carapace and a hooked beak.



 all-important  adj.  Very important; crucial.



 all-inclusive  adj.  Including everything; comprehensive.



 alliterate  v. -ated -ating -ates   -intr. 1. To use alliteration in
 speech or writing. 2. To have or contain alliteration. -tr. To form or
 arrange with alliteration. [Back-formation < alliteration.]



 alliteration  n.  The occurrence in a phrase or line of speech or writing
 of two or more words having the same initial sound, for example, wailing in
 the winter wind.  [ad- + Lat. littera, letter.]



 alliterative  adj.  Of, manifesting, or characterized by alliteration.
 alliteratively adv.   alliterativeness n.



 allium  n.  Any of various plants of the genus Allium, characterized by
 their pungent odor, and including the onion, leek, chive, garlic, and
 shallot. [NLat. Allium, genus name < Lat. allium, garlic.]



 all-night  adj.  1. Continuing all night: an all-night party.  2. Open all
 night: an all-night diner.



 allnighter  n.  Slang.  The act or an instance of staying up all night to
 complete a project.



 allo- or all-    1. Other; different: allopatric.  2. Isomeric:
 allocholesterol.  [Gk. < allos, other.]



 allocate  tr.v. -cated -cating -cates   1. To designate for a special
 purpose; set apart. 2. To distribute according to plan; allot. 3. To
 determine the location of; locate. [Med. Lat. allocare, allocat- : Lat.
 ad-, to + Lat. locare, to place < locus, place.]   allocable adj.
 allocation n.



 allocution  n.  A formal and authoritative speech or address, esp. one
 that advises or informs. [Lat. allocutio < alloqui, to speak to : ad-, to +
 loqui, to speak.]



 allogamy  n.  Cross-fertilization.   allogamous adj.



 allograft  n.  A homograft.



 allograph  n.  1. The form or shape of a letter of an alphabet or of any
 unit in a system of writing. 2. A letter or combination of letters that can
 represent one phoneme. 3. Writing, esp. a signature, made by one person for
 another.



 allomerism  n.  Consistency in crystalline form with variation in chemical
 composition.   allomerous adj.



 allometry  n.  Biology.  The study of the change in proportion of various
 parts of an organism as a consequence of growth.   allometric adj.



 allomorph
 allomorph(1)  n.  A paramorph.   allomorphic adj.   allomorphism n.
 allomorph(2)  n.  Any of the variant forms of a morpheme. For example, the
 phonetic s of cats, z of dogs, and iz of horses are allomorphs of the
 English morpheme s.  [allo- + morph(eme).]   allomorphic adj.
 allomorphism n.



 allonym  n.  The name of a person, usually a historical person, assumed by
 a writer. [Fr. allonyme : Gk. allos, other + onoma, name.]   allonymous
 adj.   allonymously adv.



 allopath or allopathist   n.  A person who practices or advocates
 allopathy.



 allopathy  n.  Therapy with remedies that produce effects differing from
 those of the disease treated. [G. Allopathie : Gk. allos, other + -pathie,
 -pathy.]   allopathic adj.   allopathically adv.



 allopatric  adj.  Ecology.  Occurring in separate, widely differing
 geographic areas. [allo- + Gk. patra, fatherland (< pater, father) + -ic.]
  allopatrically adv.



 allophane  n.  An amorphous, translucent, variously colored mineral,
 essentially hydrous aluminum silicate. [Gk. allophanes, appearing otherwise
 : allos, other + phainein, to appear.]



 allophone  n.  Any of the variant forms of a phoneme. For example, the
 aspirated p of pit and the unaspirated p of spit are allophones of the
 English phoneme p.    allophonic adj.



 allopurinol  n.  A drug, C5H4N4O3 used to treat gout by promoting uric
 acid excretion. [allo- + purin(e) + -ol2.]



 all-or-none  adj.  Characterized by either complete response or total lack
 of response or effect, as in neurological action above a threshold.



 allosteric  adj.  Of or relating to molecular binding to an enzyme at a
 site other than the enzymatically active one.



 allot  tr.v. -lotted -lotting -lots   1. To distribute by lot; apportion.
 2. To give or assign as one's portion; allocate: allot three weeks to a
 project.  [ME alotten < OFr. aloter : a-, to (< Lat. ad-) + lot, portion,
 of Germanic orig.]   allotter n.



 allotment  n.  1. The act of allotting. 2. Something that is allotted. 3.
 A portion of a serviceman's pay set aside for a member of his family or for
 insurance.



 allotrope  n.  A structurally differentiated form of an allotropic
 element. [Back-formation < allotropy.]



 allotropy  n.  The existence, esp. in the solid state, of two or more
 crystalline or molecular structural forms of an element.   allotropic
 allotropical  adj.   allotropically adv.



 all' ottava  adv.  Music.  At an octave higher or lower than written. Used
 as a direction. [Ital., at the octave.]



 allottee  n.  One to whom something is allotted.



 all out  adv.  With every possible effort.



 all-out  adj.  Using all one's resources: an all-out effort.



 all over  adv.  1. Over the whole area or extent: embroidered all over
 with roses.  2. Everywhere: searched all over for the money.  3. In all
 respects: She's her grandmother all over.



 all-over  adj.  Covering an entire surface.



 allow  tr.v. -lowed -lowing -lows   1. To let do or happen; permit. 2. To
 acknowledge or admit; concede: allow the legality of a claim.  3. To permit
 to have: allow oneself five dollars a day.  4. To make provision for: allow
 time for a coffee break.  5. To permit the presence of: No pets allowed.
 6. To provide (the needed amount): allow funds in case of emergency.  7. To
 admit; grant: I allow that to be true.  8. To allow as a discount or in
 exchange: allowed me twenty dollars on my old typewriter.  Phrasal verb.
 allow of. To permit: a treatise allowing of several interpretations.  [ME
 allouen, to approve, permit < OFr. alouer < both Lat. allaudare, to praise,
 and Med. Lat. allocare, to allocate.]   allowable adj.   allowably adv.



 allowance  n.  1. The act of allowing. 2. Something that is allowed. 3.
 Something given, as money, at regular intervals or for a specific purpose:
 a travel allowance.  4. A price reduction granted in exchange for used
 merchandise; discount. 5. A consideration for possibilities or modifying
 circumstances: an allowance for breakage.  6. An allowed difference in
 dimension of closely mating machine parts.   -tr.v.-anced -ancing -ances
 1. To restrict to an allowance. 2. To put on an allowance.



 allowedly  adv.  By general admission; admittedly.



 alloy  n.  1. A homogeneous mixture or solid solution, usually of two or
 more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions
 between the atoms of the other. 2. The relative degree of mixture with a
 base metal; fineness. 3. Something added that lowers value or purity.
 -tr.v. -loyed -loying -loys   1. To combine (metals) to form an alloy. 2.
 To lower purity or value of (a metal) by mixing with a cheaper metal. 3. To
 debase by the addition of an inferior element. [OFr. aloi < aloier, to
 alloy < Lat. alligare, to bind to : ad-, to + ligare, to bind.]



 all-purpose  adj.  Useful in many ways.



 all right  adv.  1. Satisfactory; average. 2. Correct: These figures are
 perfectly all right.  3. Uninjured. 4. Very well; yes. 5. Without a doubt:
 He's a fool, all right.

      Usage: It is still not acceptable to write all right  as a single
 word, alright,  despite the parallel to words like already  and altogether
 and despite the fact that in casual speech the expression is often
 pronounced as if it were one word.



 all-right  adj.  Slang.  1. Dependable; honorable: an all-right fellow.
 2. Good; excellent: an all-right movie.



 all-round  adj.  Variant of all-around.



 All Saints' Day  n.  November 1, a church festival in honor of all saints.




 allseed  n.  Any of several plants having many seeds, such as knotgrass.



 All Souls' Day  n.  November 2, observed by the Roman Catholic Church as a
 day of prayer for souls in purgatory.



 allspice  n.  1. A tropical American tree, Pimenta officinalis, having
 small white flowers and aromatic berries. 2. The dried berries of the
 allspice, used whole or ground as a spice.



 all-star  adj.  Made up wholly of star performers: an all-star cast.
 -n.Sports. A player chosen for an all-star team.



 all-time  adj.  Informal.  Of all time: an all-time attendance record.



 all told  adv.  With everything considered; in all.



 allude  intr.v. -luded -luding -ludes   To make an indirect reference to.
 [Lat. alludere, to play with : ad-, to + ludere, to play < ludus, game.]

      Usage: Allude  and allusion  are often used where the more general
 terms refer  and reference  would be preferable. Allude  and allusion
 apply to indirect reference that does not identify specifically. Refer  and
 reference,  unless qualified, usually imply direct, specific mention.



 allure  v. -lured -luring -lures   -tr. To entice with something
 desirable; tempt. -intr. To tempt or fascinate.   -n. The power to entice
 or tempt; fascination. [ME aluren < OFr. alurer : a-, to (< Lat. ad-) +
 loirre, bait, of Germanic orig.]   allurement n.   allurer n.   alluringly
 adv.



 allusion  n.  1. The act of alluding; indirect mention. 2. An indirect,
 but pointed or meaningful reference. -See Usage note at allude. [LLat.
 allusio, a playing with < Lat. alludere, to play with. -see allude.]



 allusive  adj.  Containing or making allusions; suggestive.   allusively
 adv.   allusiveness n.



 alluvia  n.  A plural of alluvium.



 alluvial  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or composed of alluvium.



 alluvial fan  n.  A fan-shaped accumulation of alluvium deposited at the
 mouth of a ravine.



 alluvion  n.  1. Alluvium. 2. The flow of water against a shore or bank.
 3. Inundation by water; flood. 4.  Law. The increasing of land, esp. along
 a river bed, by deposited alluvium. [Lat. alluvio < alluere, to wash
 against : ad-, to + luere, to wash.]



 alluvium  n. pl. -viums  or -via  Sediment deposited by flowing water, as
 in a river bed, flood plain, or delta. [Lat. < alluvius, alluvial <
 alluere, to wash against. -see alluvion.]



 ally  v. -lied -lying -lies   -tr. 1. To unite or connect in a formal
 relationship or bond, such as by treaty. 2. To unite or connect in a
 personal relationship, such as friendship or marriage. -intr. To enter into
 an alliance.   -n. pl. -lies  1. One that is united with another in some
 formal or personal relationship. 2. A friend or close associate. [ME allien
 < OFr. alier < Lat. alligare, to bind to. -see alloy.]



 allyl  n.  The univalent organic radical CH2:CHCH2. [Lat. allium, garlic +
 -yl (so called because it was first obtained from garlic).]   allylic adj.



 Almagest  n.  1. An exhaustive chronicle on astronomy and geography
 compiled by Ptolemy about  A.D.  150. 2. almagest  Any of several medieval
 treatises concerned with astronomy or alchemy. [ME almageste < OFr. < Ar.
 al-majisti : al, the + Gk. megiste (suntaxis), greatest (composition), fem.
 of megistos, greatest, superl. of megas, great.]



 alma mater or Alma Mater   n.  1. The school, college, or university that
 one has attended. 2. The anthem or school song of an institution of higher
 learning. [Lat., nourishing mother.]



 almanac  n.  1. An annual publication including calendars with weather
 forecasts, astronomical information, tide tables, and other related tabular
 information. 2. An annual publication composed of various lists, charts,
 and tables of useful information in many unrelated fields. [ME almenak <
 Med. Lat. almanach, perh. < Gk. almenikhiaka, calendars.]



 almandine or almandite   n.  A deep violet-red garnet, essentially
 FeAl2Si3O12, found in metamorphic rocks and used as a gemstone. [ME
 alabandine < Lat. alabandinus < Alabanda,  a town in ancient Asia Minor
 famous for its jewelry.]



 almighty  adj.  1. Having absolute power; all-powerful. 2.  Informal.
 Great or extreme: an almighty din.    -adv. Slang.  Extremely: almighty
 scared.    -n. the Almighty  God. [ME almighti < OE ealmihtig : eall, all +
 mihtig, mighty < miht, might.]   almightily adv.



 almond  n.  1. A small tree, Prunus amygdalus, native to the Mediterranean
 region, having pink flowers and fruit containing an edible nut. 2. The nut
 of the almond tree, ellipsoid in shape, and having a soft, yellowish-tan
 shell. 3. Something having the oval, pointed form of an almond. 4. A pale
 tan. [ME almande < OFr. < LLat. amandula, alteration of Lat. amygdala < Gk.
 amugdale.]



 almoner  n.  1. One who distributes alms. 2.  Chiefly British. A social
 worker in a hospital. [ME aumener < OFr. aumonier, ult. < Lat. eleemosyna,
 alms.]



 almost  adv.  Slightly short of; very nearly. [ME < OE ealmaest : eall,
 all + maest, most.]



 alms  pl.n.  Money or goods given to the poor in charity. [ME almes < OE
 aelmesse < LLat. eleemosyna < Gk. eleemosune < eleemon, pitiful < eleos,
 pity.]



 almshouse  n.  A poorhouse.



 almsman  n.  One dependent on alms for his support.



 alnico  n.  Any of several hard, strong alloys of aluminum, cobalt,
 copper, iron, nickel, and sometimes niobium or tantalum, used to make
 strong permanent magnets. [al(uminum) + ni(ckel) + co(balt).]



 aloe  n.  1. Any of various plants of the genus Aloe, mostly native to
 southern Africa, having fleshy, spiny-toothed leaves and red or yellow
 flowers. 2. aloes  (used with a sing. verb). A cathartic drug derived from
 Aloe barbadensis. 3. aloes  (used with a sing. verb). The fragrant wood of
 a tree, Aquilaria agallocha, of tropical Asia. [ME < OE aluwe < Lat. aloe <
 Gk. aloe.]   aloetic adj.



 aloft  adv.  1. In or into a high place; high or higher up. 2.  Nautical.
 At or toward the upper rigging.   -prep. On top of: birds perching aloft
 telephone wires.  [ME < ON a lopt : a, in + lopt, air.]



 alogical  adj.  Beyond or not falling within the bounds of logic.
 alogically adv.   alogicalness n.



 aloha  n.  Love. Used as an interjection to express greeting or farewell.
 [Hawaiian.]



 aloin  n.  A bitter crystalline compound obtained from the aloe and used
 as a laxative. [alo(e) + -in.]



 alone  adj.  1. Apart from anything or anyone else. 2. Excluding anyone
 else; sole; only. 3. With nothing further added: The drive alone takes four
 days.  4. Without equal; unique: alone in his ability to unite all factions
 of the party.

       Idiom Section:  leave alone. To refrain from interrupting or
 interfering with (someone). let alone. Not to speak of or think of: I
 haven't a minute to spare, let alone an hour.  let well enough alone. To be
 satisfied with things as they are. stand alone. To be without equal. [ME <
 al one, all one.]   alone adv.   aloneness n.

      Synonyms: alone lonely lonesome solitary These adjectives are compar
 as they describe lack of companionship. Alone  emphasizes isolation from
 others and does not imply unhappiness. Lonely  adds to isolation the
 painful consciousness of it. In lonesome , the desire for companionship is
 more plaintive, but less profound: lonely for a lover; lonesome for a
 friend. Solitary  stresses physical isolation, sometimes self-imposed.




 along  adv.  1. In a line with; following the length or path of: trees
 growing along by the river.  2. With a progressive onward motion; forward.
 3. In association; together: one thing along with another.  4. As company;
 as a companion: Bring your son along.  5.  Informal. Advanced to some
 degree: The evening was well along.  6.  Informal. Approaching something,
 such as a time or an age: along about midnight.    -prep. 1. Over, through,
 or by the length of. 2. In accordance with.

       Idiom Section:  all along. From the very beginning; throughout. be
 along. Informal.  To come to; arrive at a place: They will be along soon.
 get along. 1. To go onward. 2. To manage successfully; survive. 3. To be
 compatible; agree. 4.  Slang. To go away; get out. [ME < OE andlang : and,
 against + lang, long.]



 alongshore  adv.  Along, near, or by the shore.



 alongside  adv.  Along, near, at, or to the side of anything.   -prep. By
 the side of; side by side with.



 aloof  adj.  Distant, esp. in one's relations with other people;
 indifferent.   -adv. At a distance, but within view; apart. [Obs. aloof,
 toward the wind : a-2 + obs. loof, luff.]   aloofly adv.   aloofness n.



 alopecia  n.  Loss of hair; baldness. [Lat. alopecia, fox-mange < Gk.
 alopekia < alopex, fox.]   alopecic adj.



 aloud  adv.  1. In a loud tone. 2. With the voice; orally: Read this
 passage aloud.



 alp  n.  A high mountain. [Back-formation < the Alps, a group of mountains
 in Europe.]



 alpaca  n. pl. alpaca  or -as  1. A domesticated South American mammal,
 Lama pacos, related to the llama, and having fine, long wool. 2.  a. The
 silky wool of the alpaca. b. Cloth made from alpaca. 3. A glossy cotton or
 rayon and wool fabric, usually black. [Sp. < Aymara allpaca.]



 alpenglow  n.  A rosy glow with which snow-covered mountain peaks are
 suffused at sunrise or dusk on a clear day. [Partial transl. of G.
 Alpengluhen : Alpen, Alps + gluhen, to glow.]



 alpenhorn  n.  A curved wooden horn, sometimes as long as 20 feet, used by
 herdsmen in the Alps to call cows to pasture. [G. Alpenhorn : Alpen, Alps +
 Horn, horn.]



 alpenstock  n.  A long staff with an iron point, used by mountain
 climbers. [G. Alpenstock : Alpen, Alps + Stock, staff.]



 alpestrine  adj.  Growing at high altitudes; alpine or subalpine. [< Med.
 Lat. alpestris < Alpes, the Alps.]



 alpha  n.  1. The 1st letter in the Greek alphabet. See table at alphabet.
 2. The first of anything; beginning. 3.  Astronomy. The brightest or main
 star in a constellation.   -adj. 1. First in order of importance. 2.
 Chemistry. Closest to the functional group of atoms in a molecule. 3.
 Alphabetical. [Gk., of Phoenician orig.; akin to Heb. aleph, aleph.]



 alpha and omega  n.  1. The first and the last:  I am Alpha and Omega, the
 beginning and the ending, saith the Lord (Revelation 1:8). 2. The most
 important part of something.



 alphabet  n.  1. The letters of a given language, arranged in the order
 fixed by custom. 2. Any system of characters or symbols representing sounds
 or things. 3. The basic or elementary principles of anything; rudiments.
 [Lat. alphabetum < Gk. alphabetos : alpha, alpha + beta, beta, the first
 two letters of the Greek alphabet.]



 alphabetical or alphabetic   adj.  1. Arranged in the customary order of
 the letters of a language. 2. Of, pertaining to, or expressed by an
 alphabet.   alphabetically adv.



 alphabetize  tr.v. -ized -izing -izes   1. To arrange in alphabetical
 order. 2. To supply with an alphabet.   alphabetization n.   alphabetizer
 n.



 Alpha Centauri  n.  A double star in Centaurus, the brightest in the
 constellation, 4.4 light-years from Earth.



 Alpha Crucis  n.  A double star in the constellation Crux, approximately
 230 light-years from Earth.



 alpha decay  n.  The radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus by emission of
 an alpha particle.



 alpha helix  n.  A common structure of proteins, characterized by a single
 chain of amino acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds.   alpha-helical adj.



 alphanumeric or alphameric   adj.  1. Consisting of alphabetic and
 numerical symbols. 2. Consisting of alphabetic and numerical symbols and of
 punctuation marks, mathematical symbols, and other conventional symbols
 used in computer work. [alpha(betic) + numeric(al).]



 alpha particle  n.  A positively charged composite particle,
 indistinguishable from a helium atom nucleus and consisting of two protons
 and two neutrons.



 alpha privative  n.  The Greek negative prefix a- (an- before vowels).



 alpha ray  n.  A stream of alpha particles.



 alpha rhythm or alpha wave   n.  The most common electroencephalographic
 waveform found in recordings of the electrical activity of the adult
 cerebral cortex, characteristically 8 to 12 smooth, regular oscillations
 per second in subjects at rest.



 alphosis  n.  Lack of skin pigment, as in albinism. [Gk. alphos, leprosy +
 -osis.]



 alpine  adj.  1. Alpine  Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Alps
 or their inhabitants. 2. Of or pertaining to high mountains. 3.  Biology.
 Living or growing on mountains above the timberline. 4. Intended for or
 concerned with mountaineering. 5. Alpine  Of or pertaining to competitive
 downhill racing and slalom skiing events. 6. Alpine  Of or pertaining to a
 subdivision of the Caucasian race predominant around the Alps. [Lat.
 Alpinus < Alpes, the Alps.]



 alpinist or Alpinist   n.  A mountain climber.   alpinism n.



 already  adv.  By this or a specified time; before; previously. [ME alredi
 : al, all + redi, ready.]



 alright  adv.  Nonstandard.  All right.



 Alsatian  adj.  Of or pertaining to Alsace, its inhabitants, or their
 culture.   -n. 1. A native or inhabitant of Alsace. 2.  Chiefly British.
 The German shepherd.



 alsike clover  n.  A plant, Trifolium hybridum, native to Eurasia and
 widely cultivated for forage, having compound leaves and pink or whitish
 flowers. [After Alsike, Sweden.]



 also  adv.  Besides; in addition; likewise; too.   -conj. And in addition.
 [ME < OE ealswa : eall, all + swa, so.]

      Synonyms: also too likewise besides moreover
 furthermore These adverbs indicate the presence of, or introduce, something
 additional. The first three generally imply that the additional element or
 consideration is equal in weight to what precedes it. Also  is more formal
 in sound than too is very formal in tone, and may imply similarity between
 elements as well as equality. Besides  often introduces an additional
 element that reinforces what has gone before. Moreover  and furthermore
 frequently stress the importance of the additional element.




 also-ran  n.  Informal.  One that is defeated in a race, election, or
 other competition; loser.



 alt  adj.  Music.  Pitched in the first octave above the treble staff;
 high.   -n. 1. The first octave above the treble staff. 2. A note or tone
 in the alt octave. [Lat. altus, high.]



 Altaic  n.  A language family of Europe and Asia that includes the Turkic,
 Tungusic, and Mongolic subfamilies.   -adj. 1. Of or pertaining to the
 Altai Mountains. 2. Of or pertaining to Altaic. [After the Altai
 Mountains.]



 Altair  n.  A very bright, double, variable star in the constellation
 Aquila, approximately 15.7 light-years from Earth. [Ar. al-tair < al-nasr
 al-tair, the flying eagle.]



 altar  n.  1. Any elevated place or structure upon which sacrifices may be
 offered or before which religious ceremonies may be enacted. 2. In
 Christian churches, a table or similar structure before which the divine
 offices are recited and upon which the Eucharist is celebrated. [ME auter <
 OE altar < Lat. altare.]



 altar boy  n.  An attendant to an officiating clergyman in the performance
 of a liturgical service; acolyte.



 altarpiece  n.  A painting, carving, or other artwork placed above and
 behind an altar.



 altar rail  n.  A railing in front of the altar that separates the chancel
 from the rest of the church.



 altazimuth  n.  A mounting for astronomical telescopes that permits both
 horizontal and vertical rotation. [alt(itude) + azimuth.]



 alter  v. -tered -tering -ters   -tr. 1. To change or make different;
 modify. 2. To adjust (a garment) for a better fit. 3.  Informal. To
 castrate or spay. -intr. To change or become different. [ME alteren < Med.
 Lat. alterare < Lat. alter, other.]



 alterable  adj.  Capable of being altered.   alterability  alterableness
 n.   alterably adv.



 alteration  n.  1. The act or procedure of altering. 2. The condition
 resulting from altering; modification; change.



 alterative  adj.  1. Tending to alter or produce alteration. 2.  Medicine.
 Tending to restore normal health.   -n. Medicine.  An alterative treatment
 or medication.



 altercate  intr.v. -cated -cating -cates   To argue or dispute vehemently.
 [Lat. altercari, altercat-, to quarrel < alter, other.]



 altercation  n.  A heated and noisy quarrel.



 alter ego  n.  1. Another side of oneself; second self. 2. An intimate
 friend or constant companion. [Lat., other I.]



 alternate  v. -nated -nating -nates   -intr. 1. To occur in successive
 turns: The rainy season alternates with the dry season.  2. To pass from
 one state, action, or place to a second, back to the first, and so on
 indefinitely: alternate between optimism and pessimism.  -tr. 1. To do or
 execute by turns. 2. To cause to follow in turns; interchange regularly.
 -adj.  1. Happening or following in turns; succeeding each other
 continuously. 2. Designating or pertaining to every other one of a series:
 alternate lines.  3. In place of another; substitute: an alternate plan.
 4.  Botany.  a. Growing at alternating intervals on either side of a stem:
 alternate leaves.  b. Arranged alternately between other parts, as stamens
 between petals.   -n.  A person acting in the place of another; substitute.
 [Lat. alternare, alternat- < alternus, by turns < alter, other.]
 alternateness n.   alternately adv.



 alternate angle  n.  An angle on one side of a transversal that cuts two
 lines, having one of the intersected lines as a side.



 alternating current  n.  An electric current that reverses direction in a
 circuit at regular intervals.



 alternation  n.  Successive change from one thing to another and back
 again.



 alternation of generations  n.  Metagenesis.



 alternative  n.  1.  a. The choice between two mutually exclusive
 possibilities. b. Either of these possibilities. 2. One of a number of
 things from which one must be chosen: a third alternative.    -adj. 1.
 Allowing or necessitating a choice between two or more than two things. 2.
 Existing outside traditional or conventional institutions or systems: an
 alternative newspaper.    alternatively adv.

      Usage: Alternative  is widely used to denote simply "one of a set of
 possible courses of action," but many traditionalists continue to insist
 that its use be restricted to situations in which only two possible choices
 present themselves. In this stricter sense, alternative  is incompatible
 with all numerals (there are three alternatives ), and the use of two,  in
 particular, is held to be redundant (the two alternatives are life and
 death  would be unacceptable to traditionalists). Similarly,
 traditionalists reject as unacceptable sentences like there is no other
 alternative  on the grounds that it is equivalent to the simpler there is
 no alternative.



 alternative box  n.  An element in a flow chart that signifies a decision
 to be made.



 alternative school  n.  A school that is nontraditional, esp. in
 educational ideals or methods of teaching.



 alternator  n.  An electric generator that produces alternating current.



 althea or althaea   n.  1. The rose of Sharon. 2. Any plant of the genus
 Althaea, which includes the hollyhock. [Lat., mallows < Gk. althaia <
 althein, to heal.]



 althorn  n.  A brass wind instrument that sometimes replaces the French
 horn. [G. : alt, alto + Horn, horn.]



 although or altho   conj.  Regardless of the fact that; even though. [ME :
 al, all + though, though.]

      Usage: As conjunctions, although  and though  are generally
 interchangeable: Although  (or though ) she smiled, she was angry. Although
  is usually placed at the beginning of its clause (as in the preceding
 example), whereas though  may occur placed elsewhere and is the more common
 term when used to link words or phrases: wiser though poorer.



 altimeter  n.  An instrument for determining elevation, esp. an aneroid
 barometer used in aircraft that senses pressure changes that accompany
 changes in altitude. [Lat. altus, high + -meter.]   altimetry n.



 altiplano  n.  A high plateau, as in the Andean regions of Bolivia, Peru,
 and Argentina. [Am. Sp. : Lat. altus, high + Lat. planum, plain.]



 altitude  n.  1. The height of a thing above a reference level, esp. above
 sea level or above the earth's surface. 2. A high location or area. 3.
 Astronomy. The angular distance of a celestial object above the horizon. 4.
 The perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the
 opposite vertex, parallel side, or parallel surface. 5. A high position or
 rank. [ME < Lat. altitudo < altus, high.]   altitudinal adj.



 altitude sickness  n.  Illness with symptoms such as nausea,
 breathlessness, and nosebleed, caused by an oxygen deficiency, such as that
 encountered at high altitudes.



 alto  n. pl. -tos  Music.  1. A low, female singing voice; contralto. 2. A
 countertenor. 3. The range between soprano and tenor. 4. A singer whose
 voice lies within the alto range. 5. An instrument that sounds within the
 alto range. 6. A vocal or instrumental part written for an alto voice or
 instrument. an alto flute.  [Ital., high < Lat. altus.]



 altocumulus  n.  A cloud formation of rounded, fleecy, white or gray
 masses. [Lat. altus, high + cumulus.]



 altogether  adv.  1. Entirely; completely; utterly: lost the TV picture
 altogether.  2. With all included or counted; in all; all told: Altogether
 100 people were there.  3. On the whole; with everything considered:
 Altogether, I'm sorry it happened.    -n. A whole.

       Idiom Section:  in the altogether. Informal.  In the nude. [ME al
 togeder : al, all + togeder, together.]

      Usage: Altogether  should be distinguished from all together. All
 together  is used of a group to indicate that its members performed or
 underwent an action collectively: The nations stood all together. The
 prisoners were herded all together. All together  can be used only if it is
 possible to rephrase the sentence so that all  and together  may be
 separated by other words: The books lay all together in a heap. All the
 books lay together in a heap.



 alto-rilievo or alto-relievo   n. pl. alto-relievos  or alto-rilievi  High
 relief. [Ital. alto rilievo.]



 altostratus  n.  An extended cloud formation of bluish or gray sheets or
 layers. [Lat. altus, high + stratus.]



 altricial  adj.  Helpless and naked when hatched, as young pigeons. [<
 Lat. altrix, altric-, fem. of altor, nourisher < alere, to nourish.]



 altruism  n.  Concern for the welfare of others, as opposed to egoism;
 selflessness. [Fr. altruisme, prob. < Ital. altrui, someone else < Lat.
 alter, other.]   altruist n.   altruistic adj.   altruistically adv.



 alula  n. pl. -lae  The feathers attached to the part of a bird's wing
 corresponding to the thumb. [NLat., dim. of Lat. ala, wing.]   alular adj.



 alum  n.  Any of various double sulfates of a trivalent metal such as
 aluminum, chromium, or iron and a univalent metal such as potassium or
 sodium, esp. aluminum potassium sulfate, AlK(SO4)212H2O, widely used in
 industry as clarifiers, hardeners, and purifiers, and medicinally as
 topical astringents and styptics. [ME < OFr. < Lat. alumen.]



 alumina  n.  Any of several forms of aluminum oxide, Al2O3, occurring
 naturally as corundum, in a hydrated form in bauxite, and with various
 impurities as ruby, sapphire, and emery, used in aluminum production and in
 abrasives, refractories, ceramics, and electrical insulation. [NLat. < Lat.
 alumen, alum.]



 aluminate  n.  A chemical compound containing aluminum as part of a
 negative ion.



 aluminiferous  adj.  Containing or yielding aluminum, alumina, or alum.
 [Lat. alumen, alumin- + -ferous.]



 aluminium  n.  Chiefly British.  Variant of aluminum. [NLat. < alumina,
 alumina.]



 aluminize  tr.v. -nized -nizing -nizes   To coat or cover with aluminum or
 aluminum paint.



 aluminous  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or containing aluminum or alum.



 aluminum  n.  Symbol Al  A silvery-white, ductile metallic element, the
 most abundant in the earth's crust, but found only in combination, chiefly
 in bauxite. It is used to form many hard, light, corrosion-resistant
 alloys. Atomic number 13; atomic weight 26.98; melting point 660.2 deg. C;
 boiling point 2,467 deg. C; specific gravity 2.69; valence 3. [alumin(a) +
 -ium.]



 aluminum oxide  n.  Alumina.



 aluminum paste  n.  Aluminum powder ground in oil, used for aluminum
 paints.



 aluminum sulfate  n.  A white crystalline compound, Al2(SO4)3, used
 chiefly in papermaking, water purification, sanitation, and tanning.



 alumna  n. pl. -nae  A female graduate or former student of a school,
 college, or university. -See Usage note at alumnus. [Lat., fem. of
 alumnus.]



 alumnus  n. pl. -ni  A male graduate or former student of a school,
 college, or university. [Lat., pupil < alere, to nourish.]

      Usage: Alumni  is generally used to refer to both the alumni and
 alumnae of a coeducational institution.



 alumroot  n.  1. Any of various North American plants of the genus
 Heuchera, having clusters of small white, reddish, or green flowers and
 astringent roots. 2. The wild geranium.



 Alundum   A trademark for a hard, artificial abrasive of fused alumina,
 used in making oilstones and grinding wheels.



 alunite  n.  A gray mineral, chiefly K2Al3(OH)6(SO4)3, used in making alum
 and fertilizer. [Fr. < alun, alum < Lat. alumen.]



 alveolar  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to an alveolus. 2.  Anatomy.  a.
 Pertaining to the jaw section containing the tooth sockets. b. Pertaining
 to the alveoli of the lungs. 3. Phonet. Formed with the tip of the tongue
 touching or near the upper alveoli, as the English t, d, and s.    -n.
 Phonet. A sound produced alveolarly. [Fr. alveolaire < alveole, alveolus <
 Lat. alveolus.]   alveolarly adv.



 alveolate  adj.  Having alveoli; deeply pitted; honeycombed.   alveolation
 n.



 alveolus  n. pl. -li  1. A small cavity or pit, such as a honeycomb cell.
 2. A tooth socket in the jawbone. 3. An air sac of the lungs at the
 termination of a bronchiole. [Lat., small hollow, dim. of alveus, a hollow
 < alvus, belly.]



 always  adv.  1. At every time; invariably. 2. For all time; continuously;
 forever: They will be friends always.  3. At any time; in any event: You
 can always quit if you're unhappy.  [ME alwei < OE ealne weg, all the way :
 ealne, accusative of eall, all + weg, way.]



 alyssum  n.  1. Any of various plants of the genus Alyssum, having dense
 clusters of yellow or white flowers. 2. Sweet alyssum. [NLat. Alyssum,
 genus name < Gk. alusson, a plant believed to cure rabies : a-, not +
 lussa, rabies.]



 Alzheimer's disease  n.  A severe neurological disorder marked by
 progressive dementia and cerebral cortical atrophy. [After Alois Alz heimer
 (1864-1915).]



 am  v.  The first person singular, present indicative of be. [ME < OE
 eom.]



 Am   The symbol for the element americium.



 amah or ama   n.  In the Orient, a maidservant, esp. a wet nurse. [Port.
 ama, nurse < Med. Lat. amma, mother.]



 Amalekite  n.  In the Old Testament, a member of an ancient nomadic tribe
 reputedly descended from Esau's grandson Amalek. [Heb. Amaleqi, after
 Amaleq, Amalek.]



 amalgam  n.  1. Any of various alloys of mercury with other metals, as
 with tin or silver. 2. A combination of diverse elements. [ME < OFr.
 amalgame < Med. Lat. amalgama, prob. ult. < Gk. malagma, soft mass.]



 amalgamate  v. -mated -mating -mates   -tr. 1. To mix so as to make a
 unified whole; blend. 2. To mix or alloy (a metal) with mercury. -intr. 1.
 To combine, unite, or consolidate. 2. To unite or blend with another metal.
   amalgamative adj.   amalgamator n.



 amalgamation  n.  1. The act of or condition resulting from amalgamating.
 2. A consolidation, as of several corporations. 3. The dissolving of a
 metal in mercury to form an alloy.



 amandine  adj.  Prepared or garnished with almonds: swordfish amandine.
 [Fr. < amande, almond < OFr. almande. -see almond.]



 amanita  n.  Any of various mushrooms of the genus Amanita, most of which
 are extremely poisonous. [NLat. Amanita, genus name < Gk. amanitai, a
 fungus.]



 amantadine  n.  An antiviral drug, C10H17N.HCl, also used to treat
 Parkinson's disease. [Alteration of E. Adamantane, a hydrocarbon + -ine2.]



 amanuensis  n. pl. -ses  One employed to take dictation or to copy
 manuscript. [Lat. amanuensis < the phrase (servus) a manu, (slave) at
 handwriting.]



 amaranth  n.  1. Any of various, often weedy, plants of the genus
 Amaranthus, having clusters of small greenish or purplish flowers. 2. An
 imaginary flower that never fades. 3. A deep reddish purple to dark or
 grayish, purplish red. 4. A dark red to purple azo dye. [NLat. amaranthus,
 genus name, alteration of Lat. amarantus < Gk. amarantos, unfading : a-,
 not + marainein, to wither.]



 amaranthine  adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or resembling the amaranth. 2.
 Eternally beautiful; unfading; everlasting. 3. Deep purple in color.



 amarelle  n.  A variety of sour cherry having pale-red fruit. [G. < Med.
 Lat. amarellum < Lat. amarus, bitter.]



 amaretto  n.  A liqueur flavored with almond. [Ital., dim. of amaro,
 bitter < Lat. amarus.]



 amaryllis  n.  1. A bulbous plant, Amaryllis belladonna, native to
 southern Africa, having large, lilylike reddish or white flowers. 2. Any of
 several plants related or similar to the amaryllis. 3. Amaryllis. In
 classical pastoral poetry, a conventional name for a shepherdess. [NLat.
 Amaryllis, genus name < Lat., name of a shepherdess < Gk. Amarullis.]



 amass  tr.v. amassed amassing amasses   1. To pile or gather up; collect.
 2. To accumulate, esp. for one's own pleasure or profit. [OFr. amasser :
 a-, to (< Lat. ad-) + masse, mass.]   amassable adj.   amasser n.
 amassment n.



 amateur  n.  1. A person who engages in an art, science, study, or
 athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession. 2. An athlete
 who has never participated in competition for money or a livelihood. 3. One
 lacking professional skill or ease in a certain area, as in art.   -adj. 1.
 Of, pertaining to, or performed by an amateur. 2. Made up of amateurs. 3.
 Not professional; unskillful. [Fr. < Lat. amator, lover < amare, to love.]
  amateurism n.



 amateurish  adj.  Characteristic of an amateur; not professional;
 unskillful.   amateurishly adv.   amateurishness n.



 Amati  n.  A violin made by Nicolo Amati or the members of his family.



 amative  adj.  Amorous. [Lat. amare, amat-, to love + -ive.]   amatively
 adv.   amativeness n.



 amatol  n.  A highly explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and
 trinitrotoluene. [< am(monium) + (trinitro)tol(uene).]



 amatory  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or expressive of love, esp. sexual love.
 [Lat. amatorius < amator, lover < amare, to love.]



 amaurosis  n.  Total loss of vision; blindness. [Gk. amaurosis < amauros,
 dark.]   amaurotic adj.



 amaze  tr.v. amazed amazing amazes   1. To affect with surprise or great
 wonder; astonish. 2.  Obsolete. To bewilder.   -n. Archaic.  Amazement;
 wonder. [ME *amasen < OE amasian, to confound.]   amazedly adv.
 amazedness n.



 amazement  n.  1. A state of extreme surprise or wonder; astonishment. 2.
 Obsolete. Bewilderment; perplexity.



 Amazon  n.  1.  Greek Mythology. A member of a nation of female warriors
 reputed to have lived in Scythia, near the Black Sea. 2. amazon  A tall,
 vigorous, strong-willed woman. [ME < Lat. Amazon < Gk Amazon.]



 Amazonian  adj.  1. Characteristic of or resembling an Amazon. 2.
 amazonian  Vigorous and strong-willed. Used of women.



 amazonite  n.  A green variety of microcline, often used as a semiprecious
 stone. [After the Amazon River.]



 amazon stone  n.  Amazonite.



 ambage  n.  Archaic.  1. A winding or indirect pathway. 2. ambages
 Roundabout ways. [Back-formation < ME ambages, equivocation < Lat. ambages
 : ambi-, around + agere, to drive.]   ambagious adj.



 ambassador  n.  1. A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and
 accredited as representative in residence by one government to another. 2.
 Any of various diplomatic officials of the highest rank: a.
 ambassador-at-large  An ambassador not assigned to a particular country. b.
 ambassador extraordinary  An ambassador assigned to a specific mission. c.
 ambassador plenipotentiary  An ambassador empowered to negotiate treaties.
 3. A diplomatic official heading his country's permanent mission to certain
 international organizations, such as the United Nations. 4. Any authorized
 messenger or representative. [ME ambassadour < OFr. ambassadeur < Med. Lat.
 ambactia, mission, of Germanic orig.]   ambassadorial adj.   ambassadorship
 n.



 amber  n.  1. A hard, translucent, yellow, orange, or brownish-yellow
 fossil resin, used for making jewelry and other ornamental objects. 2. A
 brownish yellow. an amber necklace.    -adj. Brownish yellow. [ME ambre <
 OFr. < Med. Lat. ambra < Ar. ambar, ambergris.]



 ambergris  n.  A waxy, grayish substance formed in the intestines of sperm
 whales and found floating at sea or washed ashore, used as a fixative in
 perfumes. [ME < OFr. ambre gris : ambre, amber + gris, gray.]



 amberjack  n. pl. amberjack  or -jacks  Any of several food and game
 fishes of the genus Seriola, of temperate and tropical marine waters.



 ambi-   Both: ambiversion.  [Lat., around.]



 ambiance or ambience   n.  The special or distinctive atmosphere
 surrounding a person, place, or thing. [Fr. < ambiant, surrounding < Lat.
 ambiens. -see ambient.]



 ambidexterity  n.  1. The state or quality of being ambidextrous. 2.
 Deceit or hypocrisy.



 ambidextrous  adj.  1. Able to use both hands with equal facility. 2.
 Unusually dexterous; adroit. 3. Deceptive or hypocritical. [ME ambidexter,
 double dealing < Med. Lat. : Lat. ambi-,  on both sides + Lat. dexter,
 right-handed.]   ambidextrously adv.



 ambience  n.  Variant of ambiance.



 ambient  adj.  Surrounding; encircling. [Lat. ambiens, ambient-, pr.part.
 of ambire, to surround : ambi-, around + ire, to go.]



 ambiguity  n. pl. -ties  1. The state of being ambiguous. 2. Something
 ambiguous.



 ambiguity error  n.  A gross error, usually transient, in the readout of
 an electronic device that is caused by imprecise synchronism, as in
 analog-to-digital conversion.



 ambiguous  adj.  1. Susceptible of multiple interpretation. 2. Doubtful or
 uncertain. [Lat. ambiguus, uncertain < ambigere, to go about : ambi-,
 around + agere, to drive.]

      Synonyms: ambiguous equivocal obscure recondite abstruse
 vague cryptic enigmatic These adjectives mean lacking clarity of meaning.
 Ambiguous  indicates the presence of two or more possible meanings, usually
 because of faulty expression. An equivocal  statement is deliberately
 unclear or misleading, suggesting a hedging to avoid exposure of one's
 position. Obscure  suggests meaning hidden in difficult form, sometimes not
 worth digging out. Recondite  and abstruse , less pejorative, connote the
 erudite obscurity of the scholar: a recondite allusion missed by most
 readers; abstruse works of philosophy. Vague  primarily indicates a lack of
 definite form. Cryptic  suggests a puzzling terseness intended to
 discourage understanding, and enigmatic , great significance hidden in
 mysterious and challenging form.




 ambipolar  adj.  Applying equally to both positive ions and electrons in a
 plasma.



 ambit  n.  1. The external boundary of something; circuit. 2. The sphere
 or scope of something. [Lat. ambitus, a going around < ambire, to go
 around. -see ambient.]



 ambition  n.  1.  a. An eager or strong desire to achieve something. b.
 The object or goal desired. 2. A desire for exertion or activity. [ME
 ambicioun < OFr. ambition < Lat. ambitio < ambire, to go around (for
 votes). -see ambient.]



 ambitious  adj.  1. Full of, characterized by, or motivated by ambition.
 2. Greatly desirous; eager:  I am not ambitious of ridicule (Burke). 3.
 Showing or requiring much effort; challenging: an ambitious plan.
 ambitiously adv.   ambitiousness n.



 ambivalence  n.  1. The existence of mutually conflicting feelings or
 thoughts, such as love and hate, about some person, object, or idea. 2.
 Uncertainty or indecisiveness as to what course to follow. [G. Ambivalenz :
 Lat. ambi-, on both sides + Lat. valens, being strong < valere, to be
 strong.]



 ambivalent  adj.  Exhibiting ambivalence.



 ambiversion  n.  A personality trait showing both introversion and
 extroversion. [ambi- + (intro)version or (extro)version.]   ambivert n.



 amble  intr.v. -bled -bling -bles   1. To walk slowly or leisurely. 2. To
 move along smoothly by lifting first both legs on one side and then both on
 the other, as do horses and other animals.   -n. 1. An ambling gait, esp.
 that of a horse. 2. An unhurried or easy walk. [ME amblen < AN aumbler <
 Lat. ambulare, to walk.]   ambler n.



 amblygonite  n.  A white or greenish mineral, (Li,Na)Al(PO4)(F,OH), that
 is an important source of lithium. [G. Amblygonit < Gk. amblugonios,
 obtuse-angled : amblus, blunt + gonia, angle.]



 amblyopia  n.  Dimness of vision without apparent physical defect or
 disease of the eye. [Gk. ambluopia < ambluopos, dim-sighted : amblus, dim.
 + ops, eye.]   amblyopic adj.



 ambo  n. pl. ambos  or ambones  One of the two pulpits or raised stands in
 early Christian churches from which parts of the service were chanted or
 read. [Med. Lat. < Gk. ambon, raised edge.]



 Amboinese  n.  The language of Amboina.



 amboyna or amboina   n.  The reddish-brown, curly-grained wood of a tree,
 Pterocarpus indicus, of southeastern Asia, used for decorative cabinetwork.
 [After Amboina, an island in the Moluccas, Indonesia.]



 ambrosia  n.  1.  Greek and Roman Mythology. The food of the gods, thought
 to impart immortality. 2. Something with an esp. delicious flavor or
 fragrance. [Lat. < Gk. < ambrotos, immortal, immortalizing : a-, not +
 brotos, mortal.]



 ambrosial or ambrosian   adj.  1. Suggestive of ambrosia; fragrant or
 delicious. 2. Of or worthy of the gods; divine.   ambrosially adv.



 ambrotype  n.  An early type of photograph made by imaging a negative on
 glass backed by a dark surface. [Gk. ambrotos, immortal + type.]



 ambry  n. pl. -bries  1. A storeroom or cupboard; pantry. 2. In churches,
 a niche near the altar for keeping sacred vessels and vestments. [ME
 aumeneri, place where alms are distributed < OFr. aumonerie < Lat.
 armarium, closet < arma, tools.]



 ambsace  n.  1. Double aces, the lowest throw at dice. 2. Misfortune; bad
 luck. 3. The smallest amount or most worthless thing possible. [ME ambes as
 < OFr. < Lat. ambas as, : ambo, both + as, unit.]



 ambulacrum  n. pl. -cra  One of the five radial areas on the undersurface
 of the starfish and similar echinoderms, on which the tube feet are borne.
 [Lat., walk planted with trees < ambulare, to walk.]



 ambulance  n.  A vehicle specially equipped to transport the sick or
 wounded. [Fr. < (hopital) ambulant, mobile (hospital) < Lat. ambulans,
 ambulant.]



 ambulance chaser  n.  Slang.  1. A lawyer or a lawyer's agent who obtains
 clients by persuading victims of accidents to sue for damages. 2. A lawyer
 avid for clients.



 ambulant  adj.  Moving or walking about; shifting from place to place.
 [Fr. < Lat. ambulans, pr.part. of ambulare, to walk.]



 ambulate  intr.v. -lated -lating -lates   To walk from place to place;
 move about. [Lat. ambulare, ambulat-, to walk.]



 ambulatory  adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or for walking. 2. Capable of
 walking; not bedridden. 3. Moving about; not stationary. 4.  Law. Capable
 of being changed or revoked, as a will during the life of the testator.
 -n.pl. -ries  A covered place for walking, as in a cloister.



 ambuscade  n.  An ambush.   -tr.v.-caded -cading -cades   To ambush. [OFr.
 embuscade < Ital. imboscata < imboscare, to ambush < Med. Lat. *imbuscare :
 Lat. in-, in + buscus, forest, of Germanic orig.]   ambuscader n.



 ambush  n.  1. The act of lying in wait to attack by surprise. 2. A
 surprise attack made from a concealed position. 3.  a. Those in hiding to
 make an ambush. b. Their hiding place. 4. A hidden peril or trap.
 -tr.v.-bushed -bushing -bushes   1. To hide and wait in ambush. 2. To
 attack from ambush. [ME embushen, to ambush < OFr. embuschier < Med. Lat.
 *imbuscare. -see ambuscade.]   ambusher n.



 ameba  n.  Variant of amoeba.



 amebean  adj.  Variant of amoebaean.



 amebiasis  n.  An infection caused by amoebas, esp. Entamoeba histolytica.
  [ameb(a) + -iasis.]



 amebic dysentery  n.  An acute, inflammatory amebiasis of the colon that
 is caused by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica and results in severe pain
 and diarrhea.



 amebocyte  n.  Variant of amoebocyte.



 ameer  n.  Variant of emir.



 ameliorate  tr.  -intr.v.-rated -rating -rates   To make or become better;
 improve. [Alteration of meliorate.]



 amelioration  n.  1. The act of ameliorating. 2. The state of being
 ameliorated; improvement.



 amen  interj.  Used at the end of a prayer or a statement to express
 approval.   -adv. Verily; truly.   -n. 1. An utterance of the interjection
 amen. 2. An expression of conviction or assent. [ME < OE < LLat. amen < Gk.
 amen < Heb. amen, certainly < aman, to strengthen.]



 Amen or Amon   n.  The god of life and reproduction in Egyptian mythology,
 represented as a man with a ram's head.



 amenable  adj.  1. Willing to follow advice or suggestion. 2. Responsible
 to authority; accountable. 3. Open or liable to testing, criticism, or
 judgment. [Alteration of ME menable < OFr. < mener, to lead < Lat. minare,
 to drive < minari, to threaten < minae, threats.]



 amen corner  n.  A church seat reserved for persons leading responsive
 amens.



 amend  v. amended amending amends   -tr. 1. To improve; better. 2. To
 remove the faults or errors of; rectify. 3. To alter (a legislative
 measure, for example) formally by adding, deleting, or rephrasing. -intr.
 To better one's conduct; reform. [ME amenden < OFr. < Lat. emendare, to
 correct : ex-, out of + menda, fault.]



 amendatory  adj.  Serving or tending to amend; corrective.



 amendment  n.  1. A change for the better; improvement. 2. A correction.
 3.  a. A revision or change. b. A formal statement of such a change.



 amends  pl.n.  Reparation or payment made as satisfaction for insult or
 injury.

       Idiom Section:  make amends. . To make up (to someone) for insult or
 injury. [ME amendes < OFr., pl. of amende, reparation < amender, to amend.]




 amenity  n. pl. -ties  1. The quality of being pleasant or attractive;
 agreeableness. 2.  a. A feature that increases attractiveness or value,
 esp. of a piece of real estate or a geographical location. b. Something
 that increases physical or material comfort. 3. amenities  Social
 courtesies; pleasantries; civilities. [ME amenite < OFr. < Lat. amoenitas <
 amoenus, pleasant.]



 amenorrhea or amenorrhoea   n.  Abnormal suppression or absence of
 menstruation. [a-1 + Gk. men, month + -rrhea.]   amenorrheic adj.



 ament
 ament(1)  n.  A catkin. [Lat. amentum, strap.]
 ament(2)   n.  A mentally deficient or feeble-minded person. [< Lat. amens,
 ament-, insane : a-, out of + mens, mind.]



 amentaceous  adj.  1. Resembling or characteristic of an ament;
 catkinlike. 2. Having aments or catkins.



 amentia  n.  Subnormal mental development; feeble-mindedness. [Lat.
 amentia < amens, insane. -see ament2.]



 amentiferous  adj.  Botany.  Bearing aments or catkins.



 Amerasian  n.  An individual of mixed American and Asian descent.
 [Amer(ican) + Asian.]   Amerasian adj.



 amerce  tr.v. amerced amercing amerces   1. To punish by a fine imposed
 arbitrarily at the discretion of the court. 2. To punish by imposing an
 arbitrary penalty. [ME amercen < AN amercier < a merci, at the mercy of :
 a, to (< Lat. ad) + merci, mercy < Lat. merces, wages.]



 American  adj.  1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of the United States
 of America, its people, culture, government, or history. 2. Of, in, or
 pertaining to North or South America or the Western Hemisphere. 3. Of or
 pertaining to the Indians inhabiting America. 4. Indigenous to North or
 South America: American elm; American elk.    -n. 1. A native or inhabitant
 of America. 2. A citizen of the United States.   Americanness n.



 Americana  pl.n.  A collection of things relating to American history,
 folklore, or geography.



 American Beauty  n.  A type of rose bearing large, long-stemmed
 purplish-red flowers.



 American cheese  n.  A smooth, mild cheddar cheese, white to yellow in
 color.



 American dream  n.  An American ideal of social equality and esp. material
 success.



 American eagle  n.  The bald eagle, esp. as it appears on the Great Seal
 of the United States.



 American elk  n.  The wapiti.



 American English  n.  The English language as used in the United States.



 American Indian  n.  A member of any of the aboriginal peoples of North
 America (except the Eskimos), South America, and the West Indies,
 considered to belong to the Mongoloid ethnic division of the human species.




 Americanism  n.  1. A custom, trait, or tradition originating in the
 United States. 2. A usage of language characteristic of American English.
 3. Allegiance to the United States and its customs and institutions.



 Americanist  n.  1. One who studies a facet of America, such as its
 history or geology. 2. An anthropologist specializing in the study of
 American aboriginal culture. 3. A person, other than a U.S. citizen, who is
 sympathetic to the United States and its policies.



 American ivy  n.  The Virginia creeper.



 Americanize  v. -ized -izing -izes   -tr. To assimilate into American
 culture. -intr. To become American in spirit or methods.   Americanization
 n.



 American plan  n.  A system of hotel management in which a guest pays a
 fixed daily rate for room, meals, and service.



 American saddle horse  n.  A three-gaited or five-gaited high-stepping
 saddle horse of a breed originating in Kentucky.



 American sign language  n.  An American system of communication for the
 deaf that employs manual signs.



 American Spanish  n.  The Spanish language as used in the Western
 Hemisphere.



 American Standard Version  n.  A revised version of the King James Bible
 published in the United States in 1901.



 americium  n.  A white metallic transuranic element of the actinide
 series, having isotopes with mass numbers from 237 to 246 and half-lives
 from 25 minutes to 7,950 years. Its longest-lived isotopes, Am 241 and Am
 243, are alpha-ray emitters used as radiation sources in research. Atomic
 number 95; specific gravity 11.7; valences 3, 4, 5, 6. [After America.]



 Amerind or Amerindian   n.  An American Indian or an Eskimo. [Amer(ican) +
 Ind(ian).]   Amerindian adj.   Amerindic adj.



 Ameslan  n.  American sign language.



 amethopterin  n.  Methotrexate. [A(mino)- + meth- + pter(oyl), a chemical
 radical + -in.]



 amethyst  n.  1. A purple or violet form of transparent quartz used as a
 gemstone. 2. A purple variety of corundum, used as a gemstone. 3. A
 moderate purple to graying reddish purple. [ME amatiste < OFr. < Lat.
 amethystus < Gk. amethustos : a-, not + methuein, to be drunk (from the
 belief that it was a remedy for drunkenness).]   amethystine adj.



 ametropia  n.  An eye abnormality, such as nearsightedness,
 farsightedness, or astigmatism, resulting from faulty refraction. [Gk.
 ametros, without measure (a-, without + metron, measure) + -opia.]



 Amharic  n.  A Semitic language that is the official language in Ethiopia.
   -adj. Of or concerning Amhara. [After Amhara, a former province of
 Ethiopia.]



 amiable  adj.  1. Having a pleasant disposition; good-natured. 2. Cordial;
 sociable; congenial: an amiable gathering.  [ME < OFr. < LLat. amicabilis,
 amicable.]   amiability  amiableness n.   amiably adv.

      Synonyms: amiable affable good-natured obliging agreeable
 pleasant These adjectives all refer to a tendency to please in social
 relations. Amiable  implies friendliness and sweetness of disposition.
 Affable  especially fits a person who is easy to approach and difficult to
 anger. Good-natured  suggests a tolerant, easygoing disposition; sometimes
 it also implies a docile nature. Obliging  specifies disposition to comply
 with the will of others; agreeable  adds to this a sense of eagerness to
 please. Pleasant  applies broadly to favorable manner or appearance.




 amianthus or amiantus   n.  An asbestos with fine, silky fibers. [Lat.
 amiantus < Gk. amiantos, undefiled : a-, not + mianein, to defile.]



 amicable  adj.  Characterized by or showing friendliness; friendly. [ME <
 LLat. amicabilis < Lat amicus, friend.]   amicability  amicableness n.
 amicably adv.



 amice  n.  A liturgical vestment consisting of an oblong piece of white
 linen worn around the neck and shoulders and partly under the alb. [ME,
 alteration of amit < OFr. < Lat. amictus, mantle < amicio, to wrap around :
 ambi-, around + jacere, to throw.]



 amicus curiae  n. pl. amici curiae  Law.  A person invited to advise a
 court on a matter of law in a case to which he is not a party. [Lat.,
 friend of the court.]



 amid or amidst   prep.  Surrounded by; in the middle of. [ME < OE onmiddan
 : on, in + midde, middle.]



 amide  n.  1. An organic compound, such as acetamide, containing the CONH2
 group. 2. A compound with a metal replacing hydrogen in ammonia, such as
 sodium amide, NaNH2. [am(monia) + -ide.]   amidic adj.



 amidol  n.  A colorless crystalline compound (NH2)2C6H3OH2HCl, used as a
 photographic developer. [G. Amidol, a trademark.]



 amidships or amidship   adv.  Nautical.  Midway between the bow and the
 stern.



 amidst  prep.  Variant of amid.



 amigo  n. pl. -gos  A friend. [Sp. < Lat. amicus, friend.]



 amine  n.  Any of a group of organic compounds of nitrogen, such as
 ethylamine, C2H5NH2, that may be considered ammonia derivatives in which
 one or more hydrogen atoms has been replaced by a hydrocarbon radical.
 [am(monium) + -ine2.]



 -amine   Amine: diamine.  [< amine.]



 amino  adj.  Pertaining to an amine or other chemical compound containing
 NH2 combined with a nonacid organic radical. [< amino-.]



 amino-   Containing NH2 combined with a nonacid organic radical:
 aminopyrine.  [< amine.]



 amino acid  n.  1. An organic compound containing both an amino group
 (NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (COOH). 2. A compound of the form
 NH2CHRCOOH, found as essential components of the protein molecule.



 aminoacidemia  n.  A condition marked by excess amino acids in the blood.



 aminoaciduria  n.  A condition marked by excess amino acids in the urine.



 aminobenzoic acid  n.  Any of three benzoic acid derivatives, C7H7NO2,
 esp. the yellowish para form, which is part of the vitamin B complex.



 aminophenol  n.  One of three organic compounds with composition
 C6H4NH2OH, used as photographic developers and dye intermediates.



 aminopyrine  n.  A colorless crystalline compound, C13H17N3O, used to
 reduce fever and relieve pain. [amino- + (anti)pyrine.]



 amir  n.  Variant of emir.



 Amish  pl.n.  An orthodox Anabaptist sect that separated from the
 Mennonites in the late 17th century and exists today primarily in
 southeastern Pennsylvania.   -adj. Of or pertaining to this sect or its
 members. [G. amisch, after Jacob Amman, 17th-cent. Swiss Mennonite bishop.]




 amiss  adj.  Out of proper order: What is amiss?    -adv. In an improper
 or defective way.

       Idiom Section:  take amiss. To misunderstand; feel offended by. [ME
 amis < ON a mis.]



 amitosis  n.  Cell division characterized by simple nuclear cleavage
 without the formation of chromosomes.   amitotic adj.   amitotically adv.



 amitriptyline  n.  An antidepressant drug, C20H23N. [ami(no)- + tript-
 (alteration and shortening of tryptophan) + -yl + -ine2.]



 amity  n. pl. -ties  Peaceful relations, as between nations; friendship.
 [ME amite < OFr. < Med. Lat. *amicitas < Lat. amicus, friend.]



 ammeter  n.  An instrument that measures electric current. [am(pere) +
 -meter.]



 ammine  n.  Any of a class of chemical compounds, such as aniline, derived
 from replacement of hydrogen atoms in ammonia by univalent hydrocarbon
 radicals. [amm(onia) + -ine2.]   ammino adj.



 ammo  n.  Ammunition.



 ammonia  n.  1. A colorless, pungent gas, NH3, extensively used to
 manufacture fertilizers and a wide variety of nitrogen-containing organic
 and inorganic chemicals. 2. Ammonium hydroxide. [NLat. < Lat. (sal)
 ammoniacus, (salt) of Amen < Gk. Ammoniakos < Ammon, Amen (from its having
 been obtained from a region near the temple of Amen, in Libya).]



 ammoniac or ammoniacal
 ammoniac(1)  adj.  Of, containing, or similar to ammonia.
 ammoniac(2)  n.  A strong-smelling gum resin from the stems of a plant,
 Dorema ammoniacum, of northern Asia, formerly used in medicine as an
 expectorant and stimulant. [ME ammoniak < Ammoniacum < Gk. ammoniakon, of
 Amen. -see ammonia.]



 ammoniate  tr.v. -ated -ating -ates   To treat or combine with ammonia.
 -n. A compound that contains ammonia.   ammoniation n.



 ammonia water  n.  Ammonium hydroxide.



 ammonification  n.  1. Impregnation with ammonia or an ammonium compound.
 2. The generation of ammonia or ammonium compounds by the action of
 bacteria on nitrogenous organic matter in soil.



 ammonify  tr.  -intr.v.-fied -fying -fies   To subject or be subjected to
 ammonification.   ammonifier n.



 ammonite or ammonoid   n.  The coiled, flat, chambered shell of any of
 various extinct mollusks of the class Cephalopoda, found as fossils in
 Mesozoic formations. [NLat. Ammonites < Lat. (cornu) Ammonis, (horn) of
 Amen.]



 Ammonite  n.  A member of a Semitic people living east of the Jordan
 River, mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. [LLat. Ammonites, the
 Ammonites < Heb. "Ammon, city or people of Amman.]



 ammonium  n.  The chemical ion NH4+. [ammon(ia) + -ium.]



 ammonium carbonate  n.  A white powder with composition
 (NH4)HCO3(NH4)CO2NH2, used in baking powders, smelling salts, and
 fire-extinguishing compounds.



 ammonium chloride  n.  A slightly hygroscopic white crystalline compound,
 NH4Cl, used in dry cells, as a soldering flux, as an expectorant, and in
 various industrial applications.



 ammonium hydroxide  n.  A colorless basic aqueous solution of ammonia,
 NH4OH, used as a household cleanser and to manufacture a wide variety of
 products including textiles, rayon, rubber, fertilizer, and plastic.



 ammonium nitrate  n.  A colorless crystalline salt, NH4NO3, used in
 fertilizers, explosives, and solid rocket propellants.



 ammonium sulfate  n.  A brownish-gray to white crystalline salt,
 (NH4)2SO4, used in fertilizers and water purification.



 ammunition  n.  1.  a. The projectiles, along with their fuses and
 primers, that can be fired from guns or otherwise propelled. b. A nuclear,
 biological, chemical, or explosive material used as a weapon. 2. A means of
 offense or defense. [OFr. amunition, from the phrase la munition, the
 provisioning < Lat.  munitio, fortification. -see munition.]



 amnesia  n.  Partial or total loss of memory, esp. through shock,
 psychological disturbance, brain injury, or illness. [NLat. < Gk. amnesia,
 forgetfulness.]   amnesiac amnesic  n. & adj.   amnestic adj.



 amnesty  n. pl. -ties  A general pardon for offenders by a government,
 esp. for political offenses.   -tr.v.-tied -tying -ties   To grant amnesty
 to. [Lat. amnestia < Gk. amnestos, not remembered.]



 amniocentesis  n. pl. -ses  The surgical withdrawal of a sample of
 amniotic fluid from a pregnant female, esp. for use in the determination of
 sex or genetic disorder in the fetus. [NLat. : amnion + Gk. kentesis, act
 of pricking < kentein, to prick.]



 amniography  n. pl. -phies  Radiography of the uterine cavity following
 injection of a radiopaque substance. [amnio(n) + -graphy.]



 amnion  n. pl. -nions  or -nia  A thin, tough, membranous sac that
 contains a watery fluid in which the embryo of a mammal, bird, or reptile
 is suspended. [NLat. < Gk. amnion, plate to hold a sacrificial victim's
 blood.]   amniotic amnionic  adj.



 amnioscopy  n. pl. -pies  Endoscopic examination of the amniotic cavity.
 [amnio(n) + -scopy.]   amnioscope n.



 amoeba  n. pl. -bas  or -bae  Any of various protozoans of the genus
 Amoeba and related genera, occurring in water, soil, and as internal animal
 parasites, characteristically having an indefinite, changeable form and
 moving by means of pseudopodia. [NLat. < Gk. amoibe, change < ameibein, to
 change.]   amoebic adj.



 amoebaean or amoebean   adj.  Alternately answering, as dialogue. [LLat.
 amoebaeus < Gk. amoibaios < amoibe, change. -see amoeba.]



 amoebiasis  n.  Variant of amebiasis.



 amoebic dysentery  n.  Variant of amebic dysentery.



 amoebocyte  n.  A cell, such as a leucocyte, having amoebic form.
 [amoeb(a) + -cyte.]



 amoeboid  adj.  Of or resembling an amoeba, esp. in changeability of form
 and means of locomotion.



 amok  adv.  -adj. Variant of amuck.



 amole  n.  1. Any of several plants, chiefly of southwestern North
 America, having roots, bulbs, or other parts used as soap. 2. The parts of
 the amole used as soap. [Mex. Sp. < Nahuatl amolli.]



 among or amongst   prep.  1. In the midst of; surrounded by. 2. In the
 group, number, or class of: He is among the wealthy.  3. In the company of;
 in association with: traveling among a group of tourists.  4. With many; by
 many or the entire number of: a custom popular among the Greeks.  5. By the
 joint action of: Among us, we will get the job done.  6. With portions to
 each of: Distribute this among you.  7. Each with the other; between one
 another: Don't fight among yourselves.  [ME < OE on gemang : on, in +
 gemang, throng.]

      Synonyms: among amid between These prepositions are compared as they
 pertain to positions in space or to their figurative equivalents. Among
 refers to being surrounded, or approximately so, by objects that are
 individual and separable: living among the Indians. Amid  stresses being
 surrounded but not necessarily by separable things: a house amid the trees;
 remain cool amid confusion. Between  refers to a location in space that
 separates two objects: standing between two skyscrapers; caught between
 opposing viewpoints.




 amontillado  n. pl. -dos  A pale dry sherry. [Sp. : a-, to (< Lat. ad-) +
 Montilla, a town in Spain.]



 amoral  adj.  1. Not admitting of moral distinctions or judgments; neither
 moral nor immoral. 2. Lacking moral sensibility; not caring about right and
 wrong.   amorality amoralism  n.   amorally adv.



 amoretto  n. pl. -ti  or -tos  A cupid. [Ital., dim. of Amore, Cupid <
 Lat. Amor < amor, love < amare, to love.]



 amorist  n.  One dedicated to love. [Lat. amor, love + -ist.]



 Amorite  n.  A member of a people inhabiting Canaan before the Israelites,
 mentioned frequently in the Old Testament. [< Heb. Emori.]



 amorous  adj.  1. Strongly attracted to love, esp. sexual love. 2.
 Indicative of love or sexual desire: an amorous glance.  3. Of or
 associated with love: an amorous poem.  4. In love; enamored: amorous of
 her since the day they met.  [ME < OFr. amoureus < Med. Lat. amorosus <
 Lat. amor, love < amare, to love.]   amorously adv.   amorousness n.



 amorphism  n.  The state or quality of being amorphous.



 amorphous  adj.  1. Without definite form; shapeless. 2. Of no particular
 type; anomalous. 3. Lacking organization; formless. 4. Lacking distinct
 crystalline structure. [Gk. amorphos : a-, without + morphe, shape.]
 amorphously adv.   amorphousness n.



 amortization  n.  1. The act or process of amortizing. 2. The money set
 aside for the purpose of amortization. 3. In reckoning the yield of a bond
 bought at a premium, the periodic subtraction from its current yield of a
 proportionate share of the premium between the purchase date and the
 maturity date.



 amortize  tr.v. -tized -tizing -tizes   1. To liquidate (a debt) by
 installment payments or payment into a sinking fund. 2. To write off
 (expenditures) by prorating over a certain period. 3.  Law. To sell or
 transfer (property) in mortmain. [ME amortisen < OFr. amortir, amortiss- <
 VLat. *admortire : Lat. ad-, to + Lat. mors, death.]   amortizable adj.



 amortizement  n.  Amortization.



 Amos  n.  1. A Hebrew prophet of the eighth century  B.C.  2. See table at
 Bible. [Heb. "Amos.]



 amount  n.  1. The total of two or more quantities; aggregate. 2. A
 number; sum. 3. A principal plus its interest, as in a loan. 4. The
 aggregate effect or meaning; import. 5. Quantity: a great amount of
 intelligence.    -intr.v.amounted amounting amounts   1. To add up in
 number or quantity. 2. To be equivalent or tantamount: accusations
 amounting to an indictment.  [< ME amounten, to ascend < OFr. amonter <
 amont, upward < Lat. ad montem, to the hill < mons, hill.]



 amour  n.  A love affair, esp. an illicit one. [ME < OFr. < Lat. amor,
 love < amare, to love.]



 amour-propre  n.  Self-respect. [Fr.]



 Amoy  n.  The dialect of Chinese spoken in and around the city of Xiamen
 in Fujian Province in southeastern China. [After Amoy, former name for
 Xiamen.]



 amp  n.  An ampere.



 AMP  n.  A mononucleotide, C10H14N5O7P, found in animal cells, that is
 reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP. [A(denosine) m(ono)p(hosphate).]



 ampelopsis  n.  Any of several woody vines of the genus Ampelopsis, having
 small greenish or yellowish flowers. [NLat. Ampelopsis, genus name : Gk.
 ampelos, grapevine + Gk. opsis, appearance.]



 amperage  n.  The strength of an electric current expressed in amperes.



 ampere  n.  1. A unit of electric current in the meter-kilogram-second
 system. It is the steady current that when flowing in straight parallel
 wires of infinite length and negligible cross section, separated by a
 distance of one meter in free space, produces a force between the wires of
 2 * 10-7 newtons per meter of length. 2. A unit in the International System
 specified as one International coulomb per second and equal to 0.999835
 ampere. [After Andre Marie Ampere (1775-1836).]



 ampere-hour  n.  The electric charge transferred past a specified circuit
 point by a current of one ampere in one hour.



 ampere-turn  n.  A unit of magnetomotive force in the
 meter-kilogram-second system equal to the magnetomotive force around a path
 linking one turn of a conducting loop carrying a current of one ampere.



 ampersand  n.  The character or sign (&) representing and.  [Alteration of
 and per se and, "& (the sign) by itself (is the word) and."]



 amphetamine  n.  1. A colorless volatile liquid, C9H13N, used primarily as
 a central nervous system stimulant. 2. A phosphate or sulfate of
 amphetamine, used as a central nervous system stimulant. [a(lpha) +m(ethyl)
 + ph(enyl) + et(hyl) + amine.]



 amphi-   1.  a. Both: amphibiotic.  b. On both sides: amphistylar.  2.
 Around: amphithecium.  [Lat. < Gk. < amphi, on both sides.]



 amphiarthrosis  n. pl. -ses  A relatively immobile joint between bony
 surfaces connected by ligaments or elastic cartilage. [amphi- + arthrosis.]




 amphibian  n.  1. Any of various cold-blooded, smooth-skinned vertebrate
 organisms of the class Amphibia, such as a frog, that characteristically
 hatch as aquatic larvae that breathe by means of gills and that
 metamorphose to an adult form with air-breathing lungs. 2. An amphibious
 organism. 3. An aircraft that can take off and land either on land or on
 water. 4. A vehicle that can move over land and on water. [< NLat.
 Amphibia, class name < Gk. amphibion < amphibios, amphibious.]



 amphibiotic  adj.  Living in water during an early stage of development
 and on land during the adult stage.



 amphibious  adj.  1. Living or able to live both on land and in water. 2.
 Able to operate on both land and water: amphibious military vehicles.  3.
 Of a mixed or twofold nature. [Gk. amphibios : amphi-, on both sides +
 bios, life.]   amphibiously adv.   amphibiousness n.



 amphibole  n.  Any of a large group of structurally similar hydrated
 double silicate minerals, such as hornblende, containing various
 combinations of sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and aluminum. [Fr. <
 LLat. amphibolus, ambiguous < Gk. amphibolos, doubtful < amphiballein, to
 throw on either side : amphi-, on both sides + ballein, to throw.]
 amphibolic adj.



 amphibolite  n.  A chiefly amphibole rock with minor plagioclase and
 little quartz.



 amphibolous  adj.  Having two meanings; ambiguous; equivocal. [Gk.
 amphibolos. -see amphibole.]



 amphibrach  n.  A trisyllabic metrical foot having one accented or long
 syllable between two unaccented or short syllables, as in the word
 remember.  [Lat. amphibrachys < Gk. amphibrakhus : amphi-, on both sides +
 brakhus, short.]



 amphictyony  n. pl. -nies  In ancient Greece, a group of states sharing a
 common religious center or shrine, such as the one at Delphi. [Gk.
 Amphiktonia < amphiktuones, neighbors : amphi-, on the periphery + ktizein,
 to settle.]   amphictyonic adj.



 amphimacer  n.  A trisyllabic foot having an unaccented or short syllable
 between two accented or long syllables, as in pro domo.  [Lat. amphimacrus
 < Gk. amphimakros : amphi-, on both sides + makros, long.]



 amphimixis  n. pl. -mixes  True sexual reproduction, with fusion of sperm
 and egg nuclei. [NLat. : amphi- + Gk. mixis, a mingling < mignunai, to
 mingle.]   amphimictic adj.



 Amphion  n.  Greek Mythology.  The son of Zeus and the twin brother of
 Zethus, with whom he conquered and fortified Thebes, building a wall around
 the city by charming the stones into place with the music of his magic
 lyre. [Gk. Amphion.]



 amphioxus  n.  The lancelet. [NLat. : amphi- + Gk. oxus, sharp.]



 amphipod  n.  Any of numerous small crustaceans of the order Amphipoda,
 which includes the beach fleas. [< NLat. Amphipoda, order name : amphi- +
 Gk. pous, foot.]



 amphiprostyle  adj.  Architecture.  Having a prostyle or set of columns at
 each end, but none along the sides. [Lat. amphiprostylos < Gk.
 amphiprostulos : amphi-, on both sides + prostulos, with pillars in front.
 -see prostyle.]   amphiprostyle n.



 amphisbaena  n.  A mythological serpent having a head at each end of its
 body. [Lat. < Gk. amphisbaina : amphis, both ways (< amphi-, on both sides)
 + bainein, to go.]   amphisbaenic adj.



 amphistylar  adj.  Architecture.  Having columns at both front and back or
 on each side. [amphi- + Gk. stulos, pillar.]



 amphitheater  n.  1. An oval or round structure having tiers of seats
 rising gradually outward from an open space or arena at the center. 2. An
 arena where contests are held. 3. A level area surrounded by upward sloping
 ground. 4. An upper, sloping gallery in a theater. [Lat. amphitheatrum <
 Gk. amphitheatron : amphi-, around + theatron, theater. -see theater.]
 amphitheatric amphitheatrical  adj.   amphitheatrically adv.



 amphitheatre  n.  Chiefly British.  Amphitheater.



 amphithecium  n. pl. -cia  The outer layer of cells of the
 spore-containing capsule of a moss. [NLat. : amphi- + Gk. thekion, dim. of
 theke,  case.]



 Amphitrite  n.  Greek Mythology.  The wife of Poseidon, goddess of the
 sea, and one of the Nereids. [Gk. Amphitrite.]



 amphitropous  adj.  Botany.  Partly inverted so that the point of
 attachment is near the middle. Used of an ovule or seed.



 Amphitryon  n.  Greek Mythology.  A king of Thebes and the husband of
 Alcmene. [Gk. Amphitruon.]



 amphora  n. pl. -phorae  or -phoras  A two-handled jar with a narrow neck,
 used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to carry wine or oil. [Lat. < Gk.
 amphoreus, short for amphiphoreus : amphi-, on both sides + phoreus, bearer
 < pherein, to bear.]   amphoral adj.



 amphoteric  adj.  Capable of reacting either as an acid or a base. [< Gk.
 amphoterus, either of two < ampho, both.]



 ampicillin  n.  An antibiotic related to penicillin that is effective
 against gram-negative bacteria, used primarily to treat urinary,
 intestinal, and respiratory tract infections. [Blend of amino- and
 penicillin.]



 ample  adj. -pler -plest   1. Of large or great size, amount, extent, or
 capacity: an ample living room.  2.  a. Large in degree or kind; in
 abundant measure: an ample reward.  b. More than enough: ample evidence.
 3. Sufficient for a particular need: ample provisions for a week.  [ME <
 OFr. < Lat. amplus.]   ampleness n.   amply adv.



 amplexicaul  adj.  Having a base that clasps or encircles the stem, as
 some leaves do. [NLat. amplexicaulis, embracing stem : Lat. amplexus, an
 embracing < amplector, to embrace (ambi-, around + plectere, to twine) +
 Lat. caulis, stem.]



 amplification  n.  1. The act or result of amplifying. 2.  a. An addition
 to or expansion of a statement or idea. b. A statement with such an
 addition. 3.  Physics.  a. The process of increasing the magnitude of a
 variable quantity, esp. the magnitude of a voltage or current, without
 altering any other quality. b. The result of such a process. 4.
 Electronics. Gain (sense 3).



 amplifier  n.  1. One that amplifies, enlarges, or extends. 2.
 Electronics. A device to produce amplification, esp. one using transistors
 or electron tubes of an electrical signal.



 amplify  v. -fied -fying -fies   -tr. 1. To make larger or more powerful;
 increase. 2. To add to, as by illustrations; make complete. 3. To
 exaggerate. 4.  Electronics. To produce amplification of.   -intr.v. To
 write or discourse at length; expatiate. [ME amplifien < OFr. amplifier <
 Lat. amplificare : amplus, large + facere, to make.]



 amplitude  n.  1. Greatness of size; magnitude. 2. Fullness; copiousness.
 3. Breadth or range, as of intelligence. 4.  Astronomy. The angular
 distance along the horizon from true east or west to the intersection of
 the vertical circle of a celestial body with the horizon. 5.  Physics. The
 maximum value of a periodically varying quantity. 6.  Mathematics.  a. The
 maximum ordinate value of a periodic curve. b. The angle made with the
 positive horizontal axis by the vector representation of a complex number.
 7.  Electronics. The magnitude of a voltage or current waveform. [Lat.
 amplitudo < amplus, large.]



 amplitude modulation  n.  Electronics.  1. The encoding of a carrier wave
 by variation of its amplitude in accordance with an input signal. 2. A
 broadcast system that uses amplitude modulation.



 ampoule
 ampule or ampul    n.  A small glass vial, sealed after filling and used
 chiefly as a container for a hypodermic injection solution. [Fr. < OFr. <
 Lat. ampulla.]



 ampulla  n. pl. -pullae  1. A nearly round bottle with two handles used by
 the ancient Romans for wine, oil, or perfume. 2.  Ecclesiastical. A vessel
 for consecrated wine or holy oil. 3.  Anatomy. A small dilation in a canal
 or duct, esp. one in the semicircular canal of the ear. [Lat.]   ampullar
 adj.



 amputate  tr.v. -tated -tating -tates   To cut off (a part of the body),
 esp. by surgery. [Lat. amputare, amputat-, to cut around : ambi-, around +
 putare, to cut.]   amputation n.   amputator n.



 amputee  n.  A person who has had one or more limbs removed by amputation.
 -See Usage note at -ee1.



 amrita  n.  Hindu Myth..  1. The ambrosia, prepared by the gods, that
 bestows immortality. 2. The immortality achieved by drinking amrita. [Skt.
 am[z.angstund;]rtam : a-, without + m[z.angstund;]rtam, death.]



 amtrac or amtrack   n.  A small, armed, amphibious vehicle first used in
 World War II to carry troops from ship to shore. [am(phibious) +
 trac(tor).]



 amuck or amok   adv.  1. In a frenzy to do violence or kill: rioters
 running amuck in the sreets.  2. In a jumbled or faulty manner.   -adj.
 Crazed with murderous frenzy. [Malay amok.]



 amulet  n.  An object worn, esp. around the neck, as a charm against evil
 or injury. [Lat. amuletum.]



 amuse  tr.v. amused amusing amuses   1. To occupy in an agreeable,
 pleasing, or entertaining fashion. 2. To cause to laugh or smile by giving
 pleasure. 3.  Archaic. To delude or deceive; bemuse. [OFr. amuser, to
 stupefy : a, to (< Lat. ad )+ muser, to stare stupidly.]   amusable adj.
 amuser n.

      Synonyms: amuse entertain divert regale These verbs refer to actions
 that provide pleasure, especially as a means of passing time. Amuse  is the
 least specific. Entertain  suggests more formal, deliberate acts of
 bringing about pleasure. Divert  implies distraction from worrisome thought
 or care. Regale  means to entertain lavishly.




 amusement  n.  1. The state of being amused, entertained, or pleased. 2.
 Something that amuses.



 amusement park  n.  A commercially operated enterprise that offers rides,
 games, and other forms of entertainment.



 amusing  adj.  1. Entertaining or pleasing. 2. Arousing laughter.
 amusingly adv.



 amusive  adj.  Providing amusement.



 amygdala  n. pl. -lae  Anatomy.  An almond-shaped mass of gray matter in
 the anterior portion of the temporal lobe. [NLat. < Lat., almond < Gk.
 amugdale.]



 amygdale  n.  An amygdule. [Gk. amygdale, almond.]



 amygdalin  n.  A glycoside derived from the volatile essential oils of
 bitter almonds, peaches, and apricots, used to derive Laetrile. [Lat.
 amygdala, almond (< Gk. amugdale) + -in.]



 amygdaline  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or resembling an almond. [Lat.
 amygdalinus < Gk. amugdalinos < amugdale, almond.]



 amygdaloid  n.  A volcanic rock containing many amygdules.
 -adj.amygdaloidal   1. Almond-shaped. 2. Of or relating to the amygdala. 3.
  Geology. Resembling amygdaloid. [Lat. amygdala, almond (< Gk. amugdale) +
 -oid.]



 amygdule  n.  A small gas bubble in lava or other igneous rock filled with
 secondary minerals such as zeolite, calcite, or quartz. [Lat. amygdala,
 almond (from its shape) + nod)ule.]



 amyl  n.  1. The univalent organic radical C5H11, occurring in several
 isomeric forms in many organic compounds. 2.  Slang. Amyl nitrite. [Lat.
 amylum, starch. -see amylum.]



 amyl-   Variant of amylo-.



 amylaceous  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or resembling starch; starchy.



 amyl acetate  n.  An organic compound, CH3COOC5H11, used commercially in
 isomeric mixtures as a flavoring agent, as a paint and lacquer solvent, and
 in the preparation of penicillin.



 amyl alcohol  n.  Any of eight isomers of the composition C5H11OH, one of
 which is the principal constituent of fusel oil.



 amylase  n.  Any of various enzymes that convert starch to sugar.



 amyl nitrite  n.  The nitrous acid ester of isoamyl alcohol, used in
 medicine as a vasodilator.



 amylo- or amyl-    Starch: amylose.  [< Lat. amylum, starch.]



 amyloid  n.  1. A starchlike substance. 2.  Pathology. A hard protein
 deposit resulting from degeneration of tissue.   -adj. Starchlike.



 amylolysis  n.  The enzymatic conversion of starch to sugars.   amylolytic
 adj.



 amylopsin  n.  The starch-digesting amylase produced by the pancreas.
 [amylo- + (try)psin.]



 amylose  n.  The relatively soluble portion of starch.



 amylum  n.  Starch. [Lat. < Gk. amulon, starch < amulos, not ground at a
 mill : a-, not +mule, mill.]



 amyotonia  n.  Lack of muscle tone.



 an
 an(1)   A. Used before words beginning with a vowel or with an unpronounced
 h: an elephant; an hour. -See Usage note at a. [ME < OE an, one.]
 an(2)   conj.  Archaic.  And if; if:  An I may hide my face, let me play
 Thisby too (Shakespeare). [ME, short for and, and < OE.]



 an-   Variant of a-1.Used before vowels and frequently before h.



 -an
 -an(1)   1. Of, relating to, or resembling: brachyuran.  2. One relating
 to, belonging to, or resembling: librarian.  [ME < OFr. < Lat. -anus, adj.
 and n. suffix.]
 -an(2)   3.  a. Unsaturated hydrocarbon: urethan.  b. Heterocyclic
 compound: furan.  4. Anhydride of a carbohydrate: dextran.  [Alteration of
 -ane.]



 ana
 ana(1)  n. pl. ana  or -as  1. A collection of various materials that
 reflect the character of a person or place. 2. An item in such a
 collection. [< -ana.]
 ana(2)   adv.    Both in the same quantity; of each. Used to refer to
 ingredients in prescriptions. [ME < Med. Lat. < Gk., at the rate of.]



 ana-   1. Upward; up: anabolism.  2. Backward; back: anaplasia.  3. Again;
 anew: anaphylaxis.  [Gk. < ana, up.]



 -ana or -iana    A collection of items relating to a specified person or
 place: Americana.  [NLat. < Lat. -ana, neuter pl. of -anus, -an.]



 anabaena  n.  Any of various freshwater algae of the genus Anabaena,
 sometimes occurring in drinking water and causing a bad taste and odor.
 [NLat. Anabaena, genus name < Gk. anabainein, to go up : ana-, up +
 bainein, to go.]



 Anabaptist  n.  A member of one of the radical movements of the
 Reformation of the 16th century that insisted that only adult baptism was
 valid and held that true Christians should not bear arms, use force, or
 hold government office. [NLat. anabaptista : Gk. ana-, again + baptizein,
 to baptize < baptein, to dip.]   Anabaptism n.   Anabaptist adj.



 anabas  n.  A member of the genus Anabas, which includes freshwater fishes
 of Africa and Asia. [NLat. Anabas, genus name < Gk. anabas, climbing,
 pr.part. of anabainein, to go up. -see anabatic.]



 anabasis  n. pl. -ses  A large-scale military advance, specifically, the
 Greek expedition across Asia Minor (401  B.C. ) led by Cyrus the Younger of
 Persia, as described by Xenophon. [Gk. < anabainein, to go up. -see
 anabatic.]



 anabatic  adj.  Of or pertaining to rising wind currents. [Gk. anabatikos
 < anabainein, to rise: ana, up + bainein, to go.]



 anabiosis  n.  A restoring to life from a deathlike condition;
 resuscitation. [NLat. < Gk. anabiosis < anabioun, to return to life : ana-,
 back + bioun, to live < bios, life.]   anabiotic adj.



 anabolic steroid  n.  Any of several synthetic hormones often used to
 increase muscle size and strength.



 anabolism  n.  The metabolic process by which simple substances are
 synthesized into the complex materials of living tissue. [ana- +
 meta)bolism.]   anabolic adj.



 anachronism  n.  1. The representation of something as existing or
 happening at other than its proper or historical time. 2. Something out of
 its proper time. [Fr. anachronisme < Gk. anakhronismos < anakronizein, to
 be an anachronism : ana-, backward + khronizein, to belong in time <
 khronos, time.]   anachronistic  anachronous adj.   anachronistically
 anachronously adv.



 anaclisis  n.  Psychological dependence on others. [Gk. anaklisis, a
 leaning back < anaklinein, to lean on : ana-, on + klinein, to lean.]
 anaclitic adj.



 anacoluthon  n. pl. -thons  or -tha  An abrupt change within a sentence to
 a second grammatical construction inconsistent with the first, sometimes
 used for rhetorical effect, for example: I warned him that if he continues
 to drink, what will become of him?  [LLat. < Gk. anakolouthos, inconsistent
 : an-, not + akolouthos, following.]   anacoluthic adj.



 anaconda  n.  1. A large, nonvenomous, arboreal snake, Eunectes murinus,
 of tropical South America, that constricts its prey in its coils. 2. Any of
 several snakes similar or related to the anaconda. [Perh. alteration of
 Singhalese henakandaya, whip snake.]



 Anacreontic  adj.  In the manner of the poems of Anacreon, esp. in being
 convivial or amatory.   -n. An Anacreontic poem.



 anacrusis  n.  1. One or more unstressed syllables at the beginning of a
 line of verse, before the reckoning of the normal meter begins. 2.  Music.
 An upbeat. [NLat. < Gk. anakrousis, beginning of a tune < anakrouein, to
 begin : ana-, back + krouein, to push.]



 anadem  n.  Archaic.  A wreath or garland for the head. [Lat. anadema <
 Gk. anadema < anadein, to bind up : ana-, up + dein, to bind.]



 anadiplosis  n.  Rhetorical repetition of the word or phrase that ends one
 phrase at the beginning of the next phrase. [Lat. anadiplosis, < Gk.
 anadiplosis < anadiploun, to redouble: ana-, again + diploun, to double <
 diplous, double.]



 anadromous  adj.  Migrating up rivers from the sea to breed in fresh
 water. [Gk. anadromos, a running up : ana-, up + dromos, race.]



 anaemia  n.  Variant of anemia.



 anaemic  adj.  Variant of anemic.



 anaerobe  n.  A microorganism, as a bacterium, able to live in the absence
 of free oxygen.   anaerobic adj.   anaerobically adv.



 anaesthesia  n.  Variant of anesthesia.



 anaesthesiology  n.  Variant of anesthesiology.



 anaesthetic  adj.  -n. Variant of anesthetic.



 anaesthetist  n.  Variant of anesthetist.



 anaesthetize  v.  Variant of anesthetize.



 anaglyph  n.  1. An ornament carved in low relief. 2. A moving or still
 picture consisting of two slightly different perspectives of the same
 subject in contrasting colors that are superimposed on each other, and that
 produces a three-dimensional effect when viewed through two correspondingly
 colored filters. [Gk. anagluphos, carved in low relief : ana-, up +
 gluphein,  to carve.]   anaglyphic  anaglyptic adj.



 anagoge or anagogy   n.  A mystical interpretation of a word, passage, or
 text, esp. scriptural exegesis that detects allusions to heaven or the
 afterlife. [LLat. < LGk. anagoge : ana, up + agein, to lead.]   anagogic
 anagogical  adj.   anagogically adv.



 anagram  n.  1. A word or phrase formed by reordering the letters of
 another word or phrase. 2. anagrams  (used with a sing. verb). A game whose
 object is to form words from a group of randomly picked letters. [Fr.
 anagramme : Gk. ana-, from bottom to top + Gk. gramma, letter < graphein,
 to write.]   anagrammatic adj.   anagrammatically adv.



 anagrammatize  tr.v. -tized -tizing -tizes   To make an anagram of.



 anal  adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, or near the anus. 2.  Psychoanalysis.
 a. Of, pertaining to, or denoting the stage of psychosexual development of
 the infant in which gratification is derived from sensations associated
 with the anus. b. Of, pertaining to, or denoting personality traits
 originating during toilet training and distinguished as anal-expulsive or
 anal-retentive. [NLat. analis < Lat. anus, anus.]



 analcime or analcite   n.  A white or light-colored zeolite, found in
 diabase and certain basalts. [Fr. < Gk. analkimos, weak (from its weak
 electric power) : an-, not + alkimos, brave < alke, strength.]



 analects or analecta   pl.n.  Selections or parts of a literary work or
 group of works. [Lat. analecta < Gk. analekta < analegein, to gather :
 ana-, up + legein, to gather.]   analectic adj.



 analemma  n.  A graduated scale, in the shape of a figure eight,
 indicating the sun's declination and the equation of time for every day of
 the year, usually found on sundials and globes. [Lat., sundial < Gk.
 analemma, support < analambanein, to take up. -see analeptic.]



 analeptic  adj.  Restorative or stimulating.   -n. An analeptic
 medication. [Gk. analeptikos < analombanein, to take up : ana-, up +
 lambanein, to take.]



 anal-expulsive  adj.  Psychoanalysis.  Designating personality traits such
 as conceit, suspicion, ambition, and generosity, originating in habits,
 attitudes, or values associated with infantile pleasure in the expulsion of
 feces.



 analgesia  n.  Pathology.  Inability to feel pain while conscious. [NLat.
 < Gk. analgesia : an-, without + algos, pain.]   analgetic adj.



 analgesic  n.  A medication that reduces or eliminates pain.   -adj. Of or
 causing analgesia.



 analog  n.  Variant of analogue.



 analog computer or analogue computer   n.  A computer in which numerical
 data are represented by analogous physical magnitudes or electrical
 signals.



 analog data  pl.n.  (used with a sing. or pl. verb).Data presented or
 collected in continuous form, as temperature variation or voltage
 measurement.



 analogical  adj.  Of, pertaining to, composed of, or based upon an
 analogy.   analogically adv.



 analogist  n.  One who looks for or reasons from analogies.



 analogize  v. -gized -gizing -gizes   -tr. To make an analogy to. -intr.
 To think or reason by analogy.



 analogous  adj.  1. Similar or alike in a way that permits the drawing of
 an analogy. 2.  Biology. Similar in function but not in evolutionary
 origin. [Lat. analogus < Gk. analogos, proportionate :  ana-, according to
 + logos, proportion < legein, to speak.]   analogously adv.   analogousness
 n.



 analogue or analog   n.  1. Something that bears an analogy to something
 else. 2.  Biology. An organ or structure that is similar in function to one
 in another kind of organism, but is of dissimilar evolutionary origin. 3.
 Chemistry. A structural derivative of a parent compound. [Fr. < Gk.
 analogus, proportionate -see analogous.]



 analogy  n. pl. -gies  1. Correspondence in some respects between things
 otherwise dissimilar. 2.  Biology. Correspondence in function or position
 between organs of dissimilar evolutionary origin or structure. 3. A form of
 logical inference, or an instance of it, based on the assumption that if
 two things are known to be alike in some respects, then they must be alike
 in other respects. 4.  Linguistics. The creation of forms on the basis of a
 proportion a : b = c : x.  [Lat. analogia < Gk. < analogos, proportionate.
 -see analogous.]



 analphabetic  adj.  1. Not alphabetical. 2. Unable to read; illiterate.
 -n. An illiterate.



 anal-retentive  adj.  Psychoanalysis.  Designating personality traits such
 as meticulousness, avarice, and obstinacy, originating in habits,
 attitudes, or values associated with infantile pleasure in retention of
 feces.



 analysand  n.  A person who is being psychoanalyzed. [< analyze, by
 analogy with multiplicand.]



 analyse  v.  Chiefly British.  Variant of analyze.



 analysis  n. pl. -ses  1. The separation of an intellectual or substantial
 whole into its constituent parts for individual study. 2.  Chemistry.  a.
 Separation of a substance into its constituent elements to determine either
 their nature (qualitative analysis) or their proportions (quantitative
 analysis). b. The stated findings of such separation or determination. 3.
 Mathematics.  a. Methodology principally involving algebra and calculus as
 opposed to synthetic geometry, group theory, and number theory. b. The
 method of proof in which a known truth is sought as a consequence of
 reasoning from the thing to be proved. 4.  Linguistics. The use of two or
 more words instead of an inflected form to express a grammatical category.
 5. Psychoanalysis. 6. Systems analysis. [NLat. < Gk. analusis, a dissolving
 < analuein, to undo : ana, throughout + luein, to loosen.]



 analyst  n.  1. One who analyzes. 2. A licensed practitioner of
 psychoanalysis. 3. A systems analyst.



 analytic or analytical   adj.  1. Of or pertaining to analysis or
 analytics. 2. Dividing into elemental parts or basic principles. 3.
 Reasoning from a perception of the parts and interrelations of a subject.
 4. Expert in or using analysis, esp. in thinking: an analytic mind; an
 analytic approach.  5.  Logic. Following necessarily; tautologous: an
 analytic truth.  6.  Mathematics.  a. Using, subjected to, or capable of
 being subjected to a methodology involving algebra and calculus. b. Proving
 a known truth by reasoning from the thing to be proved. 7.  Linguistics.
 Expressing a grammatical category by using two or more words instead of an
 inflected form. 8. Psychoanalytic. [LLat. analyticus < Gk. analutikos <
 analuein, to resolve. -see analysis.]   analytically adv.



 analytical balance  n.  A balance for chemical analysis.



 analytic geometry  n.  The analysis of geometric structures and properties
 principally by algebraic operations on variables defined in terms of
 position coordinates.



 analytics  n.  The branch of logic dealing with analysis.



 analyze  tr.v. -lyzed -lyzing -lyzes   1. To separate into parts or basic
 principles so as to determine the nature of the whole; examine
 methodically. 2. To make a chemical analysis of. 3. To make a mathematical
 analysis of. 4. To psychoanalyze. [Prob. < Fr. analyser < analyse, analysis
 < Gk. analusis. -see analysis.]   analyzable adj.   analyzation n.
 analyzer n.



 anamnesis  n. pl. -ses  1.  Psychology. A recalling to memory;
 recollection. 2.  Medicine. The complete case history of a patient. [NLat.
 < Gk. anamnesis < anamimneskein, to remind : ana-, again, mimneskein, to
 recall.]   anamnestic adj.   anamnestically adv.



 anamorphic  adj.  Having, producing, or designating different optical
 magnification along mutually perpendicular radii: an anamorphic lens.



 anamorphosis  n. pl. -ses  An image distorted so that it can be viewed
 without distortion only from a special angle or with a special instrument.
 [Gk. anamorphosis, re-formation : ana-, again + morphe, shape.]



 anandrous  adj.  Botany.  Having no stamens.



 Ananias  n.  In the New Testament, a liar who dropped dead when Peter
 rebuked him.



 ananthous  adj.  Botany.  Lacking flowers.



 anapest or anapaest   n.  1. A metrical foot composed of two short
 syllables followed by one long one. 2. A line of verse in anapest. [Lat.
 anapestus < Gk. anapaistos : ana-, back + paiein, to strike (so called
 because an anapest is a reversed dactyl).]   anapestic adj.



 anaphase  n.  The stage of mitosis in which the daughter chromosomes move
 toward the poles of the nuclear spindle.



 anaphora  n.  The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the
 beginning of several successive verses, clauses, or paragraphs. [LLat. <
 Gk. < anapherein, to repeat : ana-, again + pherein, to carry.]



 anaphrodisia  n.  Absence or decline of sexual desire. [Gk. : an, without
 + aphrodisia, sexual desire. -see aphrodisiac.]   anaphrodisiac adj. n.



 anaphylactoid  adj.  Pathology.  1. Of or pertaining to an anaphylactic
 reaction that occurs without causing antibodies. 2. Of or pertaining to a
 toxic reaction caused in an unsensitized person by an excessive dose of a
 substance that causes anaphylaxis in a sensitized person.



 anaphylaxis  n.  Hypersensitivity to a foreign substance, esp. in animals,
 induced by a small preliminary or sensitizing injection of the substance.
 [ana- + (pro)phylaxis.]   anaphylactic adj.   anaphylactically adv.



 anaplasia  n.  Reversion of cells to a more primitive or less
 differentiated form.



 anaplastic  adj.  1.  Medicine. Pertaining to the surgical restoration of
 a lost or absent part. 2. Of or pertaining to anaplasia of cells.



 anarch  n.  A leader or adherent of anarchy. [Back-formation < anarchy.]



 anarchic or anarchical   adj.  1. Of, like, or promoting anarchy. 2.
 Lacking order or control; lawless.   anarchically adv.



 anarchism  n.  1. The theory that all forms of government are oppressive
 and undesirable and should be abolished. 2. Active resistance and terrorism
 against the state, as used by some anarchists. 3. Rejection of all forms of
 coercive control and authority.   anarchistic adj.



 anarchist  n.  A person who advocates or engages in anarchism.



 anarcho-syndicalism  n.  Syndicalism. [anarch(y) + syndicalism.]



 anarchy  n. pl. -chies  1. Absence of any form of political authority. 2.
 Political disorder and confusion. 3. Absence of any cohering principle, as
 a common standard or purpose. [Gk. anarkhia < anarkhos, without a ruler :
 an-, without + arkhos, ruler. -see -arch.]



 anarthria  n.  Loss of the ability to speak. [NLat. < Gk. anarthros, not
 articulated. -see anarthrous.]   anarthric adj.



 anarthrous  adj.  1.  Grammar. Used without an article. 2.  Zoology.
 Lacking joints; unjointed. [Gk. anarthros, not articulated : an-, without +
 arthron, joint.]



 anasarca  n.  A general accumulation of serum in various tissues and body
 cavities. [NLat. : Gk. ana, throughout + sarx, flesh.]   anasarcous adj.



 anastigmat  n.  An anastigmatic lens.



 anastigmatic  adj.  Not astigmatic. Used of a compound lens in which the
 separate components compensate for the astigmatism of each.



 anastomose  v. -mosed -mosing -moses   -tr. To join by anastomosis. -intr.
 To connect by anastomosis, as blood vessels. [Back-formation <
 anastomosis.]



 anastomosis  n. pl. -ses  1. The union or connection of branches, as of
 rivers, veins of leaves, or blood vessels. 2. A surgical connection of
 separate or severed hollow organs to form a continuous channel. [NLat. <
 Gk. anastomosis, outlet < anastomoun, to furnish with a mouth : ana-, up +
 stoma, mouth.]   anastomotic adj.



 anastrophe  n.  Inversion of the normal syntactic order of words, for
 example: To market went she.  [Gk. anastrophe < anastrephein, to turn
 upside down : ana-, back + strephein, to turn.]



 anatase  n.  A rare blue or light-yellow to brown mineral of titanium
 dioxide. [Fr. < Gk. anatasis, extension (from its long crystals) <
 anateinein, to extend : ana-, up + teinein, to stretch.]



 anathema  n. pl. -mas  1. A formal ecclesiastical ban, curse, or
 excommunication. 2. A vehement denunciation; curse. 3. One that is cursed
 or damned. 4. One that is greatly reviled or loathed. [LLat., a person
 cursed < Gk. anathema, an accursed thing < anatithenai, to dedicate : ana-,
 up + tithenai, to put.]



 anathematize  tr.v. -tized -tizing -tizes   To proclaim an anathema on;
 curse. [Lat. anathematizare < Gk. anathematizein < anathema, anathema.]



 Anatolian  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to Anatolia or its inhabitants. 2. Of
 or pertaining to a branch of the Indo-European language family that
 includes Hittite and other extinct languages of ancient Anatolia.   -n. The
 Anatolian languages.



 anatomical or anatomic   adj.  1. Of or pertaining to anatomy. 2. Of or
 pertaining to dissection. 3. Structural as opposed to functional.
 anatomically adv.



 anatomist  n.  An expert in or student of anatomy.



 anatomize  tr.v. -mized -mizing -mizes   1. To dissect. 2. To analyze in
 minute detail.   anatomization n.



 anatomy  n. pl. -mies  1. The structure of a plant or animal, or of any of
 its parts. 2. The science of the shape and structure of organisms and their
 parts. 3. A treatise on anatomic science. 4. The dissection of a plant or
 animal to disclose the various parts, their positions, structure, and
 interrelation. 5. A skeleton. 6. A detailed examination or analysis. 7. The
 human body. [ME anatomie < OFr. < LLat. anatomia < Gk. anatome, dissection
 : ana-, up + tome, a cutting < temnein, to cut.]



 anatropous  adj.  Inverted, so that the micropyle is next to the hilum,
 and the embryonic root is at the other end. Used of an ovule.



 anatto  n.  Variant of annatto.



 -ance   1. State or condition: absorptance.  2. Action: continuance.  [ME
 < OFr. < Lat. -antia, n. suffix < -ans, -ant.]



 ancestor  n.  1. A person from whom one is descended, esp. if more remote
 than a grandparent; forefather. 2. A forerunner or predecessor. 3.  Law.
 The person from whom an estate has been inherited. 4.  Biology. The actual
 or hypothetical organism or stock from which later kinds have evolved. [ME
 auncestre < OFr. < Lat. antecessor < antecedere, to precede : ante-, before
 + cedere, to go.]



 ancestral  adj.  Of, pertaining to, or evolved from an ancestor or
 ancestors.   ancestrally adv.



 ancestry  n. pl. -tries  1. Ancestral descent or lineage. 2. Ancestors
 collectively. [ME auncestrie < OFr. ancesserie < ancessour, ancestor < Lat.
 antecessor. -see ancestor.]



 Anchises  n.  Greek and Roman Mythology.  The father of Aeneas, rescued by
 his son from fallen Troy. [Lat. < Gk. Ankhises.]



 anchor  n.  1. A heavy object attached to a vessel by a cable and cast
 overboard to keep the vessel in place either by its weight or by its flukes
 gripping the bottom. 2. Something used to provide a rigid point of support,
 as for securing a rope. 3. Something that provides security or stability.
 4. An anchorman or anchorwoman.   -v.-chored -choring -chors   -tr. 1. To
 hold fast by or as if by an anchor. 2. To narrate or coordinate (a newscast
 in which several correspondents give reports). -intr. To drop anchor; lie
 at anchor, as a ship.

       Idiom Section:  at anchor. . Anchored. [ME anker < OE ancor < Lat.
 ancora < Gk. ankura.]



 anchorage  n.  1. A place for anchoring. 2. A fee charged for the
 privilege of anchoring. 3. A means of securing or stabilizing: Wall Street
 is the anchorage of the financial community.  4.  a. The act of anchoring.
 b. The condition of being at anchor.



 anchoress  n.  A woman who has retired into seclusion for religious
 reasons.



 anchorite or anchoret   n.  A person who has retired into seclusion for
 religious reasons. [ME < Med. Lat. anchorita < LLat. anachoreta < Gk.
 anakhoretes < anakorein, to retire : ana-, back + khorein, to withdraw.]
 anchoritic adj.



 anchorman  n.  1. One heavily depended upon. 2.  Sports. The runner,
 usually the strongest on a team, who performs the last stage of a relay
 race. 3. The narrator or coordinator of a newscast in which several
 correspondents give reports.



 anchorwoman  n.  A woman who narrates or coordinates a newscast in which
 several correspondents give reports.



 anchovy  n. pl. anchovy  or -vies  Any of various small, herringlike
 marine fishes of the family Engraulidae. Several species are widely used as
 food fish. [Sp. anchova.]



 anchylose  v.  Variant of ankylose.



 anchylosis  n.  Variant of ankylosis.



 ancien regime  n.  1. The political and social system existing in France
 before the Revolution of 1789. 2. Any former socio-political system. [Fr.,
 old regime.]



 ancient
 ancient(1)  adj.  1. Very old; aged. 2. Of, existing, or occurring in times
 long past, esp. belonging to the historical period prior to the fall of the
 Western Roman Empire ( A.D.  476). 3. Old-fashioned or antiquated. 4.
 Having the qualities associated with age, wisdom, or long use; venerable.
 -n. 1. A very old person. 2. A person who lived in ancient times. 3.
 ancients  The peoples of the classical nations of antiquity. 4. ancients
 The ancient Greek and Roman authors. [ME auncien < OFr. < VLat. *anteanus <
 Lat. ante, before.]   anciently adv.   ancientness n.
 ancient(2)  n.  Obsolete.  1. An ensign; flag. 2. A flag-bearer or
 lieutenant. [Var. of ensign.]



 Ancient Chinese  n.  The Chinese language as used until about the 13th
 century  A.D.



 ancient history  n.  1. The history of ancient times. 2.  Informal. Common
 knowledge, esp. of a recent event that has lost its original impact or
 importance.



 ancillary  adj.  1. Subordinate:  For Degas, sculpture was never more than
 ancillary to his painting (Herbert Read). 2. Helping; auxiliary.   -n.pl.
 -ies  A servant. [Lat. ancillaris, pertaining to a maidservant < ancilla,
 maidservant, dim. of ancula, fem. of anculus, servant.]



 ancipital  adj.  Flattened and two-edged, as are certain plant stems. [<
 Lat. anceps, ancipit-, two-headed : ambi-, two + caput, head.]



 ancon  n. pl. -cones  A projecting bracket used in classical architecture
 to carry the upper elements of a cornice; console. [Lat. ancon < Gk. ankon,
 elbow.]



 -ancy   -ance. [Lat. -antia. -see -ance.]



 ancylostomiasis  n.  A disease caused by hookworm infestation and marked
 by progressive anemia. [NLat. Ancylostoma, hookworm genus (Gk. ankulos,
 curved + Gk. stoma, mouth) + -iasis.]



 and  conj.  1. Together with or along with; also; in addition; as well as.
 Used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that have the same grammatical
 function in a construction. 2. Added to; plus: Two and two makes four.  3.
 As a result; in consequence: Seek, and ye shall find.  4.  Informal. To.
 Used between finite verbs, such as go, come, try, write, or see: try and
 find it; come and see.  5.  Archaic. Then. Used to begin a sentence: And he
 said unto her . . .  6.  Archaic. If: and it pleases you.  [ME < OE.]

      Usage: Although frowned upon by some, the use of and  to begin a
 sentence has a long and respectable history: "And it came to pass in those
 days"  (Luke 2:1).



 AND  n.  Computer Science.  A logic operator equivalent to the sentential
 connective "and." [< and.]



 andalusite  n.  A mineral aluminum silicate, Al2SiO5, usually found in
 prisms of various colors. [Fr. andalousite, after Andalusia, where it was
 discovered.]



 Andamanese  n. pl. Andamanese  1. Andaman  A member of a Negrito people
 native to the Andaman Islands. 2. The language of the Andamanese, of no
 known linguistic affiliation.   Andamanese adj.



 andante  Music.  adv.  Moderate in tempo; faster than adagio, but slower
 than allegretto. Used as a direction.   -adj. Moderately slow.   -n. An
 andante movement or passage. [Ital., pr.part. of andare, to walk, ult. <
 Lat. ambulare.]



 andantino  Music.  adv.  Slightly faster than andante in tempo. Used as a
 direction.   -adj. Slightly faster than andante.   -n.pl. -nos  An
 andantino movement or passage. [Ital. dim. of andante, andante.]



 andesite  n.  A gray, fine-grained volcanic rock, chiefly plagioclase and
 feldspar. [G. Andesit : Andes, Andes (where it was found) + -it, -ite.]



 AND gate  n.  Computer Science.  A signal circuit with two or more input
 wires that emits a signal only if all input wires receive coincident
 signals.



 andiron  n.  One of a pair of metal supports for holding up logs in a
 fireplace. [ME aundiren, alteration of OFr. andier.]



 and/or  conj.  Used to indicate that either and or or may be used to
 connect words, phrases, or clauses depending upon what meaning is intended.


      Usage: And/or  is widely used in legal and business writing. Its use
 in general writing to mean "one or the other or both" is acceptable but can
 appear stilted.



 andr-   Variant of andro-.



 andradite  n.  A green to brown or black calcium-iron garnet,
 Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3. [After Jose B. de Andrada e Silva (d. 1838).]



 Andrew  n.  In the New Testament, one of the Apostles, the brother of
 Simon called Peter.



 andro- or andr-    1. Male; masculine: androgen.  2. Stamen or anther:
 androecium.  [Gk. < aner, andr-, man.]



 Androcles  n.  A legendary Roman slave held to have been spared in the
 arena by a lion that remembered him as the man who had once removed a thorn
 from its paw. [Lat. < Gk. Androkles.]



 androecium  n. pl. -cia  The stamens of a flower considered collectively.
 [NLat. : andr(o)- + Gk. oikos, house.]   androecial adj.



 androgen  n.  Any of the steroid hormones that develop and maintain
 masculine characteristics.   androgenic adj.



 androgenize  tr.v. -nized -nizing -nizes   To treat with usually large
 doses of male hormones.   androgenization n.



 androgenous  adj.  Of or pertaining to production of male offspring.



 androgynous  adj.  1. Having female and male characteristics in one;
 hermaphroditic. 2.  Botany. Composed of staminate and pistillate flowers.
 Used of the flower spikes of certain sedges. 3. Being neither
 distinguishably masculine nor feminine, as in dress, appearance, or
 behavior; unisex. [Lat. androgynus, hermophrodite < Gk. androgunos : aner,
 man+ gune, woman.]   androgyny n.



 android  adj.  Possessing human features.   -n. A synthetic person created
 from biological materials.



 Andromache  n.  Greek Mythology.  The faithful wife of Hector, captured by
 the Greeks at the fall of Troy. [Lat. < Gk. Andromakhe.]



 Andromeda  n.  1.  Greek Mythology. The daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia
 and wife of Perseus, who had rescued her from a sea monster. 2. A
 constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Lacerta and Perseus. 3.
 andromeda  Any of several shrubs of the genus Andromeda or of closely
 related genera. [Lat. < Gk. Andromede.]



 androsterone  n.  A male sex hormone, excreted in urine and synthetically
 produced from cholesterol. [andro- + ster(ol) + -one.]



 -androus   Having a specified number or kind of stamens: monandrous.
 [NLat. -andrus < Gk. -andros, having men < aner, andr-, man.]



 -andry   1. The condition of having a specified kind or number of
 husbands: monandry.  2. The condition of having a specified kind or number
 of stamens: polyandry.  [< Gk. aner, andr-, man.]



 -ane   A saturated hydrocarbon: hexane.  [Alteration of -ene.]



 anecdotage  n.  Anecdotes collectively.



 anecdotal  adj.  Pertaining to, characterized by, or full of anecdotes.



 anecdote  n.  1. A short account of some interesting or humorous incident.
 2. pl. -dotes  or -dota Secret or hitherto undivulged particulars of
 history or biography. [Fr. < Gk. anekdotos, unpublished : an-, not +
 ekdotos, published < ekdidonai, to publish (ek-, out + didonai, to give).]



 anecdotic or anecdotical   adj.  1. Anecdotal. 2. Full of or given to
 telling anecdotes.



 anecdotist  n.  A person who tells, collects, or publishes anecdotes.



 anechoic  adj.  Neither having nor producing echoes: an anechoic chamber.




 anele  tr.v. aneled aneling aneles   Archaic.  To anoint, esp. in
 administering extreme unction. [ME anelen : an, on (< OE) + elen, to anoint
 < ele, oil < OE < Lat. oleum. -see oil.]



 anemia or anaemia   n.  A pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying
 material of the blood, measured in unit volume concentrations of
 hemoglobin, red blood cell volume, and red blood cell number. [NLat. < Gk.
 anaimia : an-, without + haima, blood.]



 anemic or anaemic   adj.  1. Of, relating to, or suffering from anemia. 2.
 Listless and weak; pallid.   anemically adv.



 anemo-   Wind: anemometer.  [< Gk. anemos, wind.]



 anemograph  n.  A recording anemometer.



 anemography  n.  The science of recording anemometrical measurements.



 anemometer  n.  An instrument for indicating and measuring wind force and
 speed.



 anemometry  n.  The determination of wind force and velocity.



 anemone  n.  1. Any of various plants of the genus Anemone, of the North
 Temperate Zone, having white, purple, or red cup-shaped flowers. 2. The sea
 anemone. [Lat. < Gk. anemone.]



 anemone fish  n.  Any of various small, brightly colored marine fishes of
 the genus Amphiprion, that are found near sea anemones.



 anemophilous  adj.  Pollinated by wind-dispersed pollen.



 anencephaly  n. pl. -lies  Congenital absence of the brain and spinal
 cord.   anencephalic adj.



 anent  prep.  1. Regarding; concerning. 2.  Regional. Opposite; close to.
 3.  Obsolete.  Chiefly British.  Regional. On a level with; in a line with.
 [ME < OE onefn, near : on, on + efn, even.]



 aneroid  adj.  Not using fluid. [Fr. aneroide : Gk. a-, not + Gk. neron,
 water.]



 aneroid barometer  n.  A barometer in which variations of atmospheric
 pressure are indicated by the relative bulges of a thin elastic metal disk
 covering a partially evacuated chamber.



 anesthesia or anaesthesia   n.  1. Total or partial loss of sensation,
 esp. tactile sensibility, induced by disease or an anesthetic. 2.
 Artificially induced unconsciousness or local or general insensibility to
 pain. [NLat. < Gk. anaisthesia, insensibilty : an, without + aisthesis,
 feeling <aisthanesthai, to feel.]



 anesthesiology or anaesthesiology   n.  The medical study and application
 of anesthetics.   anesthesiologist n.



 anesthetic or anaesthetic   adj.  1. Relating to or resembling anesthesia.
 2. Causing anesthesia. 3. Insensitive.   -n. An agent that causes
 unconsciousness or insensitivity to pain. [< Gk. anaisthetos, without
 feeling : an-, without + aisthetos, perceptible < aisthanesthai, to feel.]



 anesthetist or anaesthetist   n.  A person, usually a physician, trained
 to administer anesthetics.



 anesthetize or anaesthetize   tr.v. -tized -tizing -tizes   To induce
 anesthesia in.   anesthetization n.



 anestrus  n.  An interval of sexual dormancy between two periods of
 estrus.



 aneurysm or aneurism   n.  1. A pathological blood-filled dilatation of a
 blood vessel. 2. A dilatation of a cylindrical body in the manner of blood
 vessel aneurysm. [Gk. aneurusma < aneurein, to dilate : ana-, throughout +
 eurus, wide.]



 anew  adv.  1. Once more; again. 2. In a new and different way, form, or
 manner. [ME a new : a, of + new, new.]



 anfractuosity  n. pl. -ties  1. The condition or quality of being
 anfractuous. 2. A winding channel, passage, or crevice. 3. A complicated or
 involved process.



 anfractuous  adj.  Full of twists and turns; winding; tortuous. [Fr.
 anfractueux < LLat. anfractuosus, < Lat. anfractus, winding < ambi-, around
 + fractus, broken, p.part, of frangere, to break.]



 angary or angaria   n.  The legal right of a belligerent state to seize,
 use, or destroy the property of a neutral, provided that full compensation
 is made. [Fr. angarie < LLat. angaria, service to a lord < Gk. angareia,
 impressment for public service < angaros,  courier.]



 angel  n.  1.  Theology.  a. An immortal, spiritual being attendant upon
 God. In medieval angelology, there are nine orders of spiritual beings
 (listed from the highest to lowest in rank): seraphim, cherubim, thrones,
 dominations or dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and
 angels. b. The conventional representation of such a being in the image of
 a human figure with a halo and wings. 2. A guardian spirit or guiding
 influence. 3.  a. A kind and lovable person. b. A person manifesting
 goodness, purity, and selflessness. 4.  Christian Science. God's thoughts
 passing to man. 5.  Informal. A financial backer of an enterprise, esp. of
 a dramatic production. 6.  a. Enemy aircraft. b. A radar echo of unknown
 origin. [ME < OE engel < LLat. angelus < LGk. angelos, < Gk. messenger.]



 angel cake  n.  Angel food cake.



 angel dust  n.  Slang.  Phencyclidine.



 Angeleno  n.  A native or resident of Los Angeles. [Mex. Sp. Angeleno,
 after Los Angeles, California.]



 angelfish  n. pl. angelfish  or -fishes  1. Any of several brightly
 colored fishes of the family Chaetodontidae, of warm seas, having laterally
 compressed bodies. 2. A freshwater fish, Pterophyllum scalare, native to
 rivers of tropical South America, having a laterally compressed, usually
 striped body, and popular in aquariums.



 angel food cake  n.  A white, almond-flavored sponge cake made of egg
 whites, sugar, and flour.



 angelic or angelical   adj.  1. Of, pertaining to, consisting of, or
 belonging to angels: angelic hosts.  2.  a. Suggestive of or fit for an
 angel; pure and lovely. b.  Informal. Kind and lovable.   angelically adv.



 angelica  n.  1. Any of various plants of the genus Angelica, having
 compound leaves and clusters of small white or greenish flowers, esp. A.
 Archangelica, whose aromatic seeds, leaves, stems, and roots are used in
 medicine and as flavoring. 2. The candied stem of the angelica. 3. Angelica
  A sweet white wine or liqueur. [Med.Lat. (herba) angelica, angelic (herb)
 < LLat. < Gk. angelikos < angelos, messenger, angel.]



 angelica tree  n.  Any of several spiny trees or shrubs, such as the
 Hercules'-club.



 angelology  n.  The branch of theology having to do with angels.



 angel shark  n.  Any of several raylike sharks of the genus Squatina,
 having a broad, flat head and body.



 Angelus or angelus   n.  Roman Catholic Chruch.  1. A devotional prayer at
 morning, noon, and night to commemorate the Annunciation. 2. A bell rung as
 a call to recite the Angelus. [Med. Lat., angel, first word of the prayer.]




 anger  n.  1. A feeling of extreme displeasure, hostility, indignation, or
 exasperation toward someone or something; rage; wrath; ire. 2.  Obsolete.
 Trouble; pain; affliction. 3.  Chiefly British.  Regional. An inflammation
 or sore.   -v.-gered -gering -gers   -tr. 1. To make angry; enrage or
 provoke. 2.  Chiefly British.  Regional. To make painful or inflamed.
 -intr. To become angry: She angers too quickly.  [ME < ON angr, sorrow.]

      Synonyms: anger rage fury ire wrath
 resentment indignation These nouns denote varying degrees of marked
 displeasure. Anger , the most general, denotes strong, usually temporary
 displeasure without specifying manner of expression. Rage  and fury  are
 closely related in the sense of intense, uncontained, explosive emotion.
 Fury  can be more destructive, rage  more justified by circumstances. Ire
 is a poetic term for anger. Wrath  applies especially to fervid anger that
 seeks vengeance or punishment on an epic scale. Resentment  refers to ill
 will and suppressed anger generated by a sense of grievance. One feels
 indignation  at seeing the mistreatment of someone or something dear and
 worthy.




 angerly  adv.  Archaic.  Angrily:  Again thou blushest angerly (Tennyson).




 Angevin  adj.  1. Of or pertaining to the province of Anjou, France. 2. Of
 or pertaining to the House of Anjou, esp. as represented by the Plantagenet
 kings of England descended from Geoffrey, Count of Anjou. [Fr. < OFr. <
 Med. Lat. Andegavinus < Andegavia, Anjou.]



 angina  n.  1. A disease, such as croup or diphtheria, in which spasmodic
 and painful suffocation or spasms occur. 2. Angina pectoris. [Lat., quinsy
 < Gk. ankone, a strangling.]   anginal adj.   anginose adj.



 angina pectoris  n.  Severe paroxysmal pain in the chest associated with
 an insufficient supply of blood to the heart. [NLat. : Lat. angina, quinsy
 + pectus, chest.]



 angiography  n.  Roentgenography of the blood vessels following the
 injection of a radiopaque substance. [Gk. angeion, vessel + -graphy.]
 angiogram n.   angiographic adj.



 angiology  n.  The study of blood and lymph vessels. [Gk. angeion, vessel
 + -logy.]



 angioma  n. pl. -mas  or -mata  A tumor composed of lymph and blood
 vessels. [Gk. angeion, vessel + -oma.]



 angiopathy  n. pl. -thies  Any of several diseases of the blood or lymph
 vessels. [Gk. angeion, vessel + -pathy.]



 angiosperm  n.  A plant of the class Angiospermae, characterized by having
 seeds enclosed in an ovary; a flowering plant. [Gk. angeion, vessel +
 sperm1.]



 angiotensin  n.  Either of two polypeptide hormones that are powerful
 vasoconstrictors. [Gk. angeion, vessel + tens(ion) + -in.]



 angle
 angle(1)  intr.v. -gled -gling -gles   1. To fish with a hook and line. 2.
 To try to get something by using schemes, tricks, or other artful means:
 angle for a promotion.    -n. Obsolete.  A fishhook or fishing tackle. [ME
 anglen < angel, fishhook < OE.]
 angle(2)  n.  1.  Mathematics.  a. The figure formed by two lines diverging
 from a common point. b. The figure formed by two planes diverging from a
 common line. c. The rotation required to superimpose either of two such
 lines or planes on the other. d. The space between such lines or surfaces.
 e. A solid angle. 2. A sharp or projecting corner, as of a building. 3.  a.
 The place, position, or direction from which an object is presented to
 view: a handsome building from any angle.  b. An aspect, as of a problem,
 seen from a specific point of view. 4.  Slang. A scheme; devious method. an
 angle bracket.    -v.-gled -gling -gles   -tr. 1. To move or turn at an
 angle. 2. To hit (a ball or puck, for example) at an angle. 3.  Informal.
 To impart a biased aspect or point of view to. -intr. To continue along or
 turn at angles or by angles: The path angled through the woods.  [ME < OFr.
 < Lat. angulus.]



 Angle  n.  A member of a Germanic people that migrated to England from
 southern Denmark in the 5th century  A.D. , founded the kingdoms of
 Northumbria, East Anglia, and Mercia, and together with the Jutes and
 Saxons formed the Anglo-Saxon peoples. [< Lat. Angli, the Angles, of
 Germanic orig.]



 angle bracket  n.  A bracket (sense 4.b.).



 angledozer  n.  A machine resembling a tractor, used to level or scrape
 ground, and constructed so that the dirt is pushed off to one side. [Orig.
 a trademark.]



 angle iron  n.  A length of steel or iron bent at a right angle along its
 long dimension, used as a support or structural framework.



 angle of attack  n.  The acute angle between the chord of an airfoil and a
 line representing the undisturbed relative airflow.



 angle of incidence  n.  1.  Physics. The angle formed by the path of a
 body or of radiation incident on a surface and a perpendicular to the
 surface at the point of impact. 2. The angle of attack.



 angle of reflection  n.  The acute angle formed by the path of a reflected
 body or reflected radiation with a perpendicular to the surface at the
 point of reflection.



 angle of refraction  n.  The acute angle formed by the path of refracted
 radiation with a perpendicular to the refracting surface at the point of
 refraction.